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State of South Dakota
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EIGHTY-THIRD
SESSION LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, 2008 |
| 596P0392 | HOUSE BILL NO. 1138 |
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Introduced by:
Representatives Novstrup (Al), DeVries, Elliott, Gassman, Gosch, Hills,
Howie, McLaughlin, and Turbiville and Senators Gant and Turbak Berry
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FOR AN ACT ENTITLED, An Act to
prohibit the use of a false academic degree or a degree
that is not completed.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
Section 1. No person may knowingly use a false academic degree or falsely claim to have a valid academic degree for the following purposes:
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
Section 1. No person may knowingly use a false academic degree or falsely claim to have a valid academic degree for the following purposes:
(1) To obtain employment;
(2) To obtain a promotion or higher compensation in employment;
(3) To obtain admission to postsecondary education; or
(4) In connection with any business, trade, profession, or occupation.
A violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
For the purposes of this Act, a false academic degree is a degree document, a certification
of completion of a degree, coursework, or degree credit, including a transcript, that provides
evidence or demonstrates completion of a course of instruction or coursework that results in the
attainment of an associate degree or higher which is issued by a person or entity that is neither
currently accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States
Department of Education pursuant to 20 U.S.C.
§
1099b as amended to January 1, 2008, nor is
participating in any federal financial assistance program authorized by Title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 as amended to January 1, 2008.
The provisions of this section do not apply to any documents issued by a religious institution
that offers credit or degree solely for the purpose of conferring status or authority within that
religion.
Section 2. No person, for the following purposes, may knowingly use any false degree, certificate, diploma, transcript, or other document indicating that the person has completed an organized program of study or completed courses when the person has not completed the organized program of study or the courses indicated on the degree, certificate, diploma, transcript, or document or falsely claim to have any valid degree, certificate, diploma, transcript, or other such document:
Section 2. No person, for the following purposes, may knowingly use any false degree, certificate, diploma, transcript, or other document indicating that the person has completed an organized program of study or completed courses when the person has not completed the organized program of study or the courses indicated on the degree, certificate, diploma, transcript, or document or falsely claim to have any valid degree, certificate, diploma, transcript, or other such document:
(1) To obtain employment;
(2) To obtain a promotion or higher compensation in employment;
(3) To obtain admission to postsecondary education; or
(4) In connection with any business, trade, profession, or occupation.
A violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
