State Senate approves bill increasing punishment for disrupting worship; related bill fails in House

By: Meghan O'Brien

Outlets: South Dakota Searchlight

Published: February 5, 2026

Words: 503

Last Updated: 3 weeks ago

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PIERRE — South Dakota lawmakers have rejected one bill to increase penalties for disrupting worshippers and advanced another.

Both are reactions to a recent protest at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota, against the federal government’s immigration enforcement actions in the Twin Cities.

One bill, introduced by Rep. Brandei Schaefbauer, R-Aberdeen, lost Wednesday in the House on a 21-48 vote. The other, sponsored in coordination with the governor by Senate Majority Leader …

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