ENTITLED An Act to revise a provision related to sexual contact with a child under eighteen.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:

Section 1. That § 22-22-7.8 be AMENDED:

22-22-7.8. A person is guilty of a Class 6 felony if the person:

(1) Is at least eighteen years of age;

(2) Is at least five years older than the victim;

(3) Is in a position of authority, as defined in this section, or is a family member related by consanguinity or affinity within the fifth degree, as defined by § 23A-20-30, to the victim; and

(4) Knowingly engages in sexual contact, or touches the buttocks or upper inner thighs of the victim with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of the person or the victim, with a victim who is:

(a) Less than eighteen years of age; and

(b) Not the person's spouse.

For purposes of this section, a person is in a position of authority if the person, at the time of the sexual contact, or within the one-hundred-twenty-day period immediately preceding the sexual contact, interacts, no matter how briefly, with the victim as a coach, child care provider, disability services provider, guardian ad litem, health care provider, law enforcement officer, mental health counselor, probation officer, religious leader, school administrator, social worker, teacher, therapist, or youth leader.

Notwithstanding § 23A-42-2, a charge pursuant to this section may be brought at any time before the victim reaches the age of twenty-five or within seven years from the commission of the crime, whichever is longer.

An Act to revise a provision related to sexual contact with a child under eighteen.

I certify that the attached Act originated in the: Senate as Bill No. 115 Secretary of the Senate President of the Senate Attest: Secretary of the Senate Speaker of the House Attest: Chief Clerk Senate Bill No. 115 File No. ____ Chapter No. ______

Received at this Executive Office this _____ day of _____________, 2025 at ____________M. By for the Governor The attached Act is hereby approved this ________ day of ______________, A.D., 2025 Governor STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, ss. Office of the Secretary of State Filed ____________, 2025 at _________ o'clock __M. Secretary of State By Asst. Secretary of State