South Dakota Senate Considers Mandatory Reporting Bill for Coaches

Proposed legislation would require coaches to report suspected child abuse or neglect.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The South Dakota state Senate is expected to debate a bill on Monday that would make coaches mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. The bill, introduced by Rep. Mary Fitzgerald, aims to increase accountability and protection for children by expanding the list of mandatory reporters to include athletic coaches.

Why it matters

The current list of mandatory reporters in South Dakota includes medical professionals, teachers, school counselors, law enforcement, and coroners. Adding coaches to this list could help identify and prevent instances of child abuse or neglect that may otherwise go unreported, particularly in the context of youth sports programs.

The details

The proposed legislation would force coaches to notify authorities of any instance of child abuse or neglect they suspect or witness. Supporters of the bill, like Rep. Fitzgerald, argue it is about accountability, prevention, and protecting children from harm.

  • The South Dakota state Senate is expected to debate the bill on Monday, March 10, 2026.

The players

Rep. Mary Fitzgerald

The state representative who introduced the bill requiring coaches to be mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect.

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What they’re saying

“It's about accountability, prevention and protecting children from harm.”

— Rep. Mary Fitzgerald, State Representative (dakotanewsnetwork.com)

What’s next

The South Dakota state Senate is expected to vote on the bill after debating it on Monday, March 10, 2026.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation aims to expand the list of mandatory reporters in South Dakota to include athletic coaches, which could help identify and prevent instances of child abuse or neglect that may otherwise go unreported in the context of youth sports programs.