South Dakota2026Active
HB1298
Ban on Publishing Private Info About Judges and Police
Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 3:29 AM
In one sentence
This law makes it a crime to share specific private details about judges or police officers online without their consent if the goal is to make them fear death or serious injury.
What it does
- It bans publishing home addresses, dates of birth, or Social Security numbers for judicial or law enforcement officers using electronic methods.
- The ban applies only when the person sharing the information does not have consent from the officer.
- The act is illegal if the publisher intends to place the officer or their immediate family in reasonable fear of death or great bodily injury.
- It creates a Class 6 felony penalty for anyone who breaks this rule.
Who it affects
- Judicial officers
- Law enforcement officers
- People who publish information electronically
Limits and unknowns
- The official text does not state the exact effective date.
- The law only covers home addresses, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers; it does not list other types of private data.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Electronic means
- Using digital tools to share information.
- Class 6 felony
- A specific category of crime under South Dakota law that carries a penalty for breaking this rule.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
prohibit the electronic publication of certain information about a judicial officer or law enforcement officer and provide a penalty therefor.
Official activity
Bill history
- Signed by the Governor