ENTITLED, An Act to revise certain parole hearing provisions regarding inmate compliance,
waivers, and teleconferencing.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
Section 1. That § 24-15A-35 be amended to read as follows:
24-15A-35. At least thirty days prior to an inmate's initial parole date, the warden shall notify the
board in writing of the inmate's substantive compliance or noncompliance with the inmate's
individual program directive. If there is insufficient information for the warden to determine
substantive compliance or noncompliance, the warden shall report a finding of undetermined
compliance to the board. The warden shall also notify the inmate in writing of the warden's report
of substantive compliance, noncompliance, or undetermined compliance. At least thirty days prior
to an inmate's subsequent, discretionary parole hearing, the warden shall submit to the board an
updated report of the inmate's conduct and progress since the last hearing.
Section 2. That § 24-15A-39 be amended to read as follows:
24-15A-39. Any inmate whom the warden reports has not substantively complied with the
individual program directive or for whom there is insufficient information for the warden to
determine substantive compliance or noncompliance shall have a hearing with the board to determine
the inmate's compliance with the individual program directive. However, if the inmate wishes to
admit to noncompliance with the individual program directive, the inmate may waive an appearance
at this hearing.
The board may determine the inmate has substantively complied with the individual program
directive and release the inmate at the inmate's initial parole date or as soon as reasonably possible
following the initial parole date and hearing. The board may also determine the inmate has not
substantively met the requirements of the individual program directive, deny release at the initial
parole date and set the time for a subsequent discretionary parole hearing. If an inmate does not have
an individual program directive, the board shall utilize the standards contained in § 24-15A-42 in
making its determination. Any inmate appeal of a finding of noncompliance by the board shall be
filed pursuant to chapter 1-26 in the county in which the inmate is confined or in Minnehaha County
if the inmate is housed outside the state of South Dakota.
Any inmate not released at the time of the inmate's initial parole date shall have a discretionary
parole hearing at least every two years.
Section 3. That § 24-15A-21 be repealed.
Section 4. That § 24-13-11 be amended to read as follows:
24-13-11. The Board of Pardons and Paroles may conduct hearings by teleconference during a
regularly scheduled hearing. The board may receive documentary evidence via facsimile machines
or other electronic means of document transfer.
Section 5. That § 24-15-8 be amended to read as follows:
24-15-8. When an inmate becomes eligible for consideration for parole, the inmate is entitled to
a hearing with the Board of Pardons and Paroles to present the inmate's application for parole. An
inmate may decline parole consideration and waive the right to a hearing. The board may issue an
order to the Department of Corrections that the inmate shall be paroled if it is satisfied that:
(1) The inmate has been confined in the penitentiary for a sufficient length of time to
accomplish the inmate's rehabilitation;
(2) The inmate will be paroled under the supervision and restrictions provided by law for
parolees, without danger to society; and
(3) The inmate has secured suitable employment or beneficial occupation of the inmate's time
likely to continue until the end of the period of the inmate's parole in some suitable place
within or without the state where the inmate will be free from criminal influences.
Neither this section nor its application may be the basis for establishing a constitutionally
protected liberty, property, or due process interest in any prisoner.
Section 6. That § 24-15-23 be amended to read as follows:
24-15-23. Subject to the provisions of §§ 24-15-23.1 and 24-15-23.2, within ten working days
of the arrest of the parolee, a preliminary hearing shall be held. The preliminary hearing shall be held
before an independent hearing officer to determine if there is probable cause to believe that the
parolee has violated the terms and conditions of the parolee's parole status. The parolee has the right
to waive this preliminary hearing at any time after the order for arrest has been issued by the
executive director of the Board of Pardons and Paroles. If probable cause is found to exist, the
parolee is to be returned to the penitentiary, there to be held, for a hearing to be held before the Board
of Pardons and Paroles to determine whether the parole should be revoked. If the parolee wishes to
admit to an alleged violation of conditions of parole, the parolee may waive an appearance at the
revocation hearing with the board.
Section 7. That § 24-15-30 be amended to read as follows:
24-15-30. A request for waiver of a right to a parole hearing or an appearance at a parole hearing
pursuant to § 24-15-8, 25-15-23, 24-15A-39, or 24-15A-41 shall be submitted in writing to the Board
of Pardons and Paroles by the inmate or parolee.
Section 8. That chapter 24-15A be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as
follows:
Notwithstanding an inmate's statutory right to refuse parole or waive parole consideration, the
Board of Pardons and Paroles may parole an inmate to the custody of another state or federal
jurisdiction for the purpose of confinement and or deportation if it is in the best interest of the
citizens of South Dakota.
Section 9. That § 24-15A-1 be amended to read as follows:
24-15A-1. The provisions of this chapter do not apply to persons sentenced to prison for crimes
committed prior to July 1, 1996, except the provisions in §§ 24-15A-18 and 24-15A-19 involving
multiple sentences occurring both prior and subsequent to the enactment of this chapter and the
provisions of §§ 24-15A-8.1, 24-15A-9, 24-15A-10, 24-15A-11, 24-15A-11.1, 24-15A-31, 24-15A-37, 24-15A-40, and section 8 of this Act.
An Act to revise certain parole hearing provisions regarding inmate compliance, waivers, and
teleconferencing.
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I certify that the attached Act
originated in the
HOUSE as Bill No. 1022
____________________________
Chief Clerk
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____________________________
Speaker of the House
____________________________
Chief Clerk
____________________________
President of the Senate
____________________________
Secretary of the Senate
House Bill No. 1022
File No. ____
Chapter No. ______
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Received at this Executive Office
this _____ day of _____________ ,
20____ at ____________ M.
By _________________________
for the Governor
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The attached Act is hereby
approved this ________ day of
______________ , A.D., 20___
____________________________
Governor
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STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA,
ss.
Office of the Secretary of State
Filed ____________ , 20___
at _________ o'clock __ M.
____________________________
Secretary of State
By _________________________
Asst. Secretary of State
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