The South Dakota House of Representatives passed a measure on Monday afternoon, requiring certain offenders having to forfeit personal property at the time of arrest. Republican State Representative Mike Stevens says the personal property being seized by authorities needs to be in connection to the crime committed. He says Senate Bill 25 deals with property involved in severe sex offense cases.
"We have other forfeiture laws in the state of South Dakota as it relates to drugs. This one is very similar only it deals with forfeiting personal property in child pornography, human trafficking, child solicitation or exploitation cases," Stevens says.
Stevens says this bill allows authorities to do their job more easily when dealing with these types of cases. He says cars or computers are examples of property that may need to be seized by authorities. This bill passed the state House unanimously and it goes back to the Senate for final approval.
