25.534.9 100th Legislative Session 1088
2025 South Dakota Legislature
House Bill 1088
Introduced by: Representative Ismay
Underscores indicate new language.
Overstrikes indicate deleted language.
An Act to enhance the penalty for causing death by distributing a Schedule I or II 1
substance. 2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA: 3
Section 1. That § 22-42-2 be AMENDED: 4
22-42-2. Except as authorized by this chapter or chapter 34-20B, no person may 5
manufacture, distribute, or dispense a substance listed in Schedules I or II; possess with 6
intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a substance listed in Schedules I or II; 7
create or distribute a counterfeit substance listed in Schedules I or II; or possess with 8
intent to distribute a counterfeit substance listed in Schedules I or II. A violation of this 9
section is a Class 4 felony. However, a 10
A violation of this section is a Class 3 felony if three or more of the following 11
aggravating circumstances apply: 12
(1) The person is in possession of three hundred dollars or more in cash; 13
(2) The person is in possession of a firearm or other weapon pursuant to §§ 22-14-6, 14
22-14-15, 22-14-15.1, 22-14-15.3, and or subdivision 22-1-2(8); 15
(3) The person is in possession of bulk materials used for the packaging of controlled 16
substances; 17
(4) The person is in possession of materials used to manufacture a controlled substance 18
including recipes, precursor chemicals, laboratory equipment, lighting, ventilating 19
or power generating equipment; or 20
(5) The person is in possession of drug transaction records or customer lists. 21
The distribution of a substance listed in Schedules I or II to a minor is a Class 2 22
felony. 23
A first conviction under this section shall must be punished by a mandatory 24
sentence of at least one year in a state correctional facility of at least one year, which 25
sentence may not be suspended. Probation, suspended imposition of sentence, or 26 25.534.9 2 1088
Underscores indicate new language.
Overstrikes indicate deleted language.
suspended execution of sentence may not form the basis for reducing the mandatory time 1
of incarceration required by this section. A second or subsequent conviction under this 2
section shall must be punished by a mandatory sentence of at least ten years in a state 3
correctional facility of at least ten years, which sentence may not be suspended. Probation, 4
suspended imposition of sentence, or suspended execution of sentence may not form the 5
basis for reducing the mandatory time of incarceration required by this for a first, second, 6
or subsequent offense pursuant to this section. However, a 7
A first conviction for distribution to a minor under this section shall must be 8
punished by a mandatory sentence of at least five years in a state correctional facility of 9
at least five years, which sentence may not be suspended. Probation, suspended 10
imposition of sentence, or suspended execution of sentence may not form the basis for 11
reducing the mandatory time of incarceration required by this section. A second or 12
subsequent conviction for distribution to a minor under this section shall must be punished 13
by a mandatory sentence of at least fifteen years in a state correctional facility of at least 14
fifteen years, which sentence may not be suspended. Probation, suspended imposition of 15
sentence, or suspended execution of sentence, may not form the basis for reducing the 16
mandatory time of incarceration required by this for a first, second, or subsequent offense 17
pursuant to this section. 18
Any conviction for, or plea of guilty to, an offense in another state which, if 19
committed in this state, would be a violation of this section, and occurring within fifteen 20
years prior to the date of the violation being charged, must be used to determine if the 21
violation being charged is a second or subsequent offense. 22
Any person who, for consideration, intentionally distributes any controlled 23
substance or counterfeit substance in violation of this section and another person dies as 24
a direct result of using that substance is guilty of a Class 2 B felony. If three or more of 25
the above aggravating circumstances apply, the person is guilty of a Class 1 felony. If the 26
substance is fentanyl and the person knew the substance was fentanyl, the person is guilty 27
of a Class 1 felony. If the decedent is a minor, the person is guilty of a Class C felony. 28
A civil penalty may be imposed, in addition to any criminal penalty, upon a 29
conviction of a violation of this section not to exceed ten thousand dollars. A conviction 30
for the purposes of the mandatory sentence provisions of this chapter is the acceptance 31
by a court of any plea, other than not guilty, including nolo contendere, or a finding of 32
guilt by a jury or court. 33