PIERRE, S.D.(HubCityRadio)- The South Dakota Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on SB122.  The bill establish a duty to assist in an emergency and provide a penalty there for.

Prime sponsor of the bill is District 3 Senator Carl Perry.

Perry talks about how often suicide is committed each year.

Perry discuss the impact suicide has on the family and community.

Perry talks about the purpose of the bill.

Senator Perry called the bill Josh’s bill.  The motivation is from Josh Ash who committed suicide in 2024 while someone witnessed what was happening.

Josh’s mom, Cynthia testified in front of the committee and talks about no laws in place for those who witness people committing suicide.

Among those opposing the bill was Pastor Matthew Boyle of Parkston.  He discuss how to determine an emergency situation.

Also opposing was Dean Krogman, lobbyist for the South Dakota Medical Association, who talks about laws that are already in place.

District 35 Senator Greg Blanc is on this committee and suggested changing the wording from emergency to suicide.  Senator Perry reacted to it.

On Thursday, Senator Perry added an amendment to the bill to focus more on suicide than emergencies.  That bill passed out of the committee on a 7-0 vote.

The title of the bill is relabeled now as An Act to establish a duty the crime of failure to summon aid for a suicide attempt and provide a penalty therefor.