Child Abuse Reporting Laws for South Dakota

State and Statute: South Dakota, Code §§ 26-8A-1 et seq.

What Is Reportable "Abuse": Physical or mental abuse or neglect by a child's parent, guardian, or custodian, or sexual abuse by a child's parent, guardian, custodian, or other person responsible for a child's care. [8A-2]

Mandatory Reporters: Includes any counselor, teacher, school counselor or official, licensed or registered child welfare provider, or religious healing practitioner. [8A-3]

How and Where to Report: "Orally … by telephone or otherwise to the state's attorney of the county in which the child resides or is present, to the Department of Social Services, or to law enforcement officers." [8A-8]

Timeline to Report: Immediately. [8A-8]

Clergy Privilege: "The privilege of confidentiality set forth in §§ 19-2-3 (physician-patient privilege), 19-19-503 (psychotherapist-patient ...