PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - The South Dakota Legislature has given final passage to a measure that changes the state’s domestic abuse laws to cover couples who are dating but don’t live together.
The Senate voted unanimously Monday to approve a version of the bill approved by the House. The measure will become law if signed by Gov. Dennis Daugaard.
Current law covers harm, attempted harm or the infliction of fear committed by family or household members against spouses, former spouses, some relatives, people who live or have lived in the same household, or people who have a child together.
The bill expands domestic abuse protections to people who are in a significant romantic relationship or are expecting a child together.
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