South Dakota § 22-49-1 - Prohibited conduct generally.
Full text of South Dakota South Dakota Codified Laws § 22-49-1 — Prohibited conduct generally., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 22-49-1. Prohibited conduct generally.
No person may knowingly recruit, entice, harbor, transport, provide, receive, purchase, advertise, maintain, solicit, or obtain, by any means, another person knowing that force, fraud, or coercion will be used to cause the person to engage in a commercial sex act, forced labor, or involuntary servitude.
No person may benefit financially, or by receiving anything of value, from participation in a venture that has engaged in acts set forth in this section, or knowingly or in reckless disregard of the fact that the venture has engaged in acts set forth in this section.
Any violation of this section constitutes the crime of human trafficking.
If the victim is under eighteen years of age, the crime of human trafficking need not involve force, fraud, or coercion.
For purposes of this section and §§ 22-49-2 and 22-49-3, the term "coercion" may include:
(1) Threats of serious harm to or physical restraint against any person;
(2) The use of a plan, statement, or pattern of behavior, with the intent of causing a person to believe that failure to perform an act will result in serious harm to, or the use of physical force or violence against, the person, or will result in the restraint, isolation, confinement, or abduction of any person;
(3) Inducing a person to engage in a commercial sex act, forced labor, or involuntary servitude as payment toward, or in satisfaction of, a real or purported debt;
(4) The use of a person's physical or mental impairment, if that impairment has a substantial adverse effect on the person's cognitive or volitional function; or
(5) The abuse or threatened abuse of law or legal process, whether administrative, civil, or criminal, in any manner or for any purpose for which the law is not designed, to exert pressure on another person to cause that person to take some action or refrain from taking some action.
Source: SL 2011, ch 120, § 1; SL 2016, ch 129, § 1; SL 2017, ch 99, § 1; SL 2019, ch 111, § 1; SL 2020, ch 89, § 1; SL 2025, ch 99, § 1.
Source: official South Dakota text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About South Dakota § 22-49-1
What does South Dakota Codified Laws § 22-49-1 cover?
Section 22-49-1 ("Prohibited conduct generally.") is part of the South Dakota Codified Laws, the codified statutory law of South Dakota. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite South Dakota § 22-49-1?
A common citation format is "South Dakota Codified Laws § 22-49-1" (South Dakota). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of South Dakota law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the South Dakota official source linked on this page or consult a licensed South Dakota attorney.
How does South Dakota § 22-49-1 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in South Dakota can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in South Dakota.