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SDPB Radio Coverage of the South Dakota Legislature. See all coverage and find links to audio and video streams live from the Capitol at www.sdpb.org/statehouse

Joint Custody Consideration Bill Passes SD House

The South Dakota House passed a bill on Monday to give judges a new set of guidelines in deciding the custody of minors in divorce or separation cases. Senate Bill 74 is designed to create more joint custody cases for children, because it’s believed by experts that children benefit more when both parents are present in their lives. Republican State Representative Charlie Hoffman says this bill only includes future cases, not past.

"This does not go back and grandfather anyone in. It sets the stage from the time the bill is signed moving forward only. So something that happened five years ago, you can’t say no, we’re going to redo that whole court trial," Hoffman says.

Hoffman says this simply provides a judge with a list of things to consider before making any custody decisions. He says the best interest of the child is still the key thing to consider when there’s a divorce or separation. Senate Bill 74 passed the South Dakota House 68 to 2 and it goes next to the Governor’s desk to be signed.

Nate Wek is currently the sports content producer and sports and rec beat reporter for South Dakota Public Broadcasting. He is a graduate of South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism Broadcasting and a minor in Leadership. From 2010-2013 Nate was the Director of Gameday Media for the Sioux Falls Storm (Indoor Football League) football team. He also spent 2012 and 2013 as the News and Sports Director of KSDJ Radio in Brookings, SD. Nate, his wife Sarah, and three sons, Braxan, Jordy, and Anders live in Canton, SD.