South Dakota Lawmakers Support 'Alternative Setting' Plan for Aggressive Students

Bill would allow schools to send disruptive students to alternative learning environments

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The South Dakota House Education Committee has passed a bill that would allow schools to send students exhibiting aggressive or violent behavior to an 'alternative learning setting' outside of their regular classroom. The bill is intended to help de-escalate behavioral issues and provide more options for schools beyond suspension or involving law enforcement. The committee also advanced a separate bill that would provide $2 million in state funding to establish a non-residential treatment facility for students with behavioral health concerns.

Why it matters

This legislation aims to address the growing problem of aggressive and violent behavior from students, including some as young as elementary school age, that has resulted in injuries to teachers and property damage. By providing an 'alternative setting' option, the bill seeks to give schools more tools to manage these disruptive behaviors and get students the support they need, rather than relying solely on suspension or police intervention.

The details

Under the proposed bill, a school board or administrators would be able to send students exhibiting aggressive or violent behavior to an 'alternative learning setting' with written notice to parents, who could appeal the decision. The alternative setting could be any place 'other than the student's regular classroom or educational setting' where the student would receive educational instruction. If a student is placed outside of school for more than five days, they would have to be referred to a behavioral health specialist. The bill would also require schools to report these alternative placements to the state Department of Education annually.

  • The House Education Committee passed the bill on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.
  • The bill will next be heard by the full South Dakota House of Representatives.

The players

Joe Graves

State Education Department Secretary, who told the House Education Committee that teachers are facing increasing aggressive and violent behavior from students.

Mackenzie Decker

Chief of staff for Republican Governor Larry Rhoden, who said the bill 'is not perfect, but it's also not required' and that it could lead to a better understanding of the problems teachers face.

Terry Dosch

Executive director of the South Dakota Council of Community Behavioral Health, who said the legislation could help de-escalate aggressive or violent behaviors and that 'prevention, early identification, and treatment is always cheaper than a placement alternative.'

Lana Greenfield

Republican state Representative from Doland, who introduced a separate bill to provide $2 million in state funding for a non-residential treatment facility for students with behavioral health concerns.

Mike Groher

Business development officer at Children's Home Society, a nonprofit that could apply for a grant to establish the proposed non-residential treatment facility.

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What they’re saying

“The bill is not perfect, but it's also not required. They put in place a data collection system so that we may better understand what our next steps might be.”

— Mackenzie Decker, Chief of staff for Republican Governor Larry Rhoden (siouxfallslive.com)

“One of the things that frustrates me is the willingness of people to pay for behavioral health on the back end, when we're building new prison systems, or when we're worried about instituting somebody. They could have had early identification, interdiction, and some correction on their behavior earlier on. Prevention, early identification, and treatment is always cheaper than a placement alternative.”

— Terry Dosch, Executive director of South Dakota Council of Community Behavioral Health (siouxfallslive.com)

“Utilization has remained consistent and predictable as access has expanded. A centralized location in Aberdeen would not create new demand. It would bring services closer to home for students who already need them.”

— Mike Groher, Business development officer at Children's Home Society (siouxfallslive.com)

What’s next

The bill addressing aggressive and violent students will be heard next by the full South Dakota House of Representatives. The funding bill for the non-residential treatment facility is headed to a joint budget-setting committee.

The takeaway

This legislation represents an effort by South Dakota lawmakers to provide schools with more tools to address the growing problem of aggressive and violent student behavior, which has led to injuries and property damage. By offering an 'alternative setting' option, the bill aims to help de-escalate these issues and get students the support they need, rather than relying solely on suspension or law enforcement involvement. The parallel effort to fund a non-residential treatment facility also reflects a recognition of the need for more comprehensive behavioral health services for students.