A bill permitting additional media coverage of interscholastic activities or events reached the governor’s desk.

 

Senate Bill 128, which revises certain provisions related to news media coverage of high school activities, passed Senate and House committees and floor votes with near unanimous support.

 

The bill permits free access for media outlets to cover any interscholastic activity or event, except for state championships.

 

SB 128 changed current state statute’s reference of rules to policies for a local school board’s overview of a media outlet’s coverage of interscholastic activities or events, but DOES NOT require a school board to adopt any such policy.

 

“The permissive legislation just you may do this,” Sen. Brock Greenfield, the bill’s prime sponsor said. “I don’t want to create a situation where there’s any concern with the school boards.”

 

SB 128 now awaits Gov. Kristi Noem’s signature into law. ASBSD will review the update to statute and determine if there is any need for a sample policy update following the legislative session.

 

For updates on the 2021 legislative session and during the interim, check the ASBSD Blog and Bill Tracker page.