Two House bills being tracked by ASBSD have reached Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s desk for review and signature.

 

Senators passed House Bill 1021, which revises certain provisions regarding the education provided for children in certain residential treatment centers, on a 34-0 vote on Monday (2/6).

 

HB 1021 would implement a provision for the South Dakota Department of Education to pay tuition for education services of the student directly to the treatment center in which they are placed, instead of counting the student on the fall enrollment of a school district. The cost to the state would be approximately $160,000.

 

The bill also removes road blocks for some students placed in treatment centers as in the past, some students have been turned away for service due to the discrepancy in cost for students who remained in parental custody instead of state custody, but needed to be placed in the centers.

 

Sen. Alan Solano noted the issue “has been a significant barrier for children in South Dakota” but through HB 1021 the matter is corrected and would have “a tremendous impact in South Dakota on our youth.”

 

ASBSD supports the bill.

 

Senators also passed HB 1036, which requires a local election official to notify their county auditor of any external boundary changes prior to local election.

 

HB 1036 would require – in even numbered years – a district’s business manager notify their district’s county auditor of any external boundary changes to representation areas that have been made at least 100 days prior to a general election.

 

ASBSD is monitoring the bill.

 

Secretary of State Shantel Krebs said the process of attaching a voter to a local voting precinct takes essentially 90 days and the bill provides them time enough to adjust for changes made.

 

For updates from legislative session, check the ASBSD Blog, Twitter feed and Bill Tracker.