FindLaw | Find a Lawyer. Find Answers.
Are you a legal Professional?
My current location:
,
| Change location
South Dakota Child Abuse Laws
More Information on Child Abuse Laws
| Code Section | 26-8A-1, et seq. |
| What Constitutes Abuse | Child who is threatened with substantial harm; sustained emotional harm or mental injury (evidenced by observable and substantial impairment of child's ability to function); subject to sexual abuse/exploitation; who lacks proper parental care; whose environment is injurious to child's welfare; who is abandoned, or who has been prenatally subjected to illegal drug or alcohol abuse, or who is knowingly exposed to an environment used to manufacture methamphetamines |
| Mandatory Reporting Required By | Physician, dentist, chiropractor, nurse, optometrist, mental health professional, psychologist, religious healing practitioner, social worker, parole or court services officer, law enforcement officer, teacher, nurse, school counselor/official, child welfare provider, coroner, chemical dependency counselor, domestic abuse shelter worker, podiatrist |
| Basis of Report of Abuse/neglect | Have reasonable cause to suspect a child has been abused or neglected |
| To Whom Reported | State's attorney in county where child resides or is present, department of social services or to law enforcement officer |
| Penalty for Failure to Report or False Reporting | Class 1 misdemeanor |
Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Research the Law:
- Official State Codes - Links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and DC.
Related Resources for Child Abuse Laws: