South Dakota House Bill HB1213

South Dakota 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/27/22
• Refer: 1/31/22
• Report Pass: 2/9/22
• Engrossed: 2/10/22
• Refer: 2/14/22

Caption

Clarify the Corrections Commission's ability to obtain criminal justice information.

Impact

This legislation will enhance the Corrections Commission's functionality by allowing it to require criminal justice agencies to provide information that is either readily available or necessary for their studies. Importantly, the bill specifies that the commission cannot mandate the creation or collection of new data, thus focusing the requirement on existing information. This ensures that the bill strikes a balance between obtaining useful data and not imposing additional burdens on law enforcement agencies.

Summary

House Bill 1213 aims to clarify the Corrections Commission's ability to obtain criminal justice information from state and local agencies. The intent behind this bill is to facilitate a comprehensive study of criminal justice issues within South Dakota, allowing the Corrections Commission to make informed recommendations and improvements. By ensuring access to necessary criminal justice data, the commission can evaluate current felony laws, sentencing patterns, and overall justice practices effectively.

Contention

Discussions surrounding HB 1213 primarily focused on the balance between transparency and agency workload. While supporters argue that the bill will lead to improved oversight and reforms in the criminal justice system, some concerns were raised regarding the potential for increased demands on local agencies and the clarity of what data is deemed necessary. Opponents fear that without sufficient guidelines, the bill may lead to an expansion of information collection without considering the capacity of the agencies involved.