It is a petty offense for any organization subject to the provisions of chapter 55-12 to deny the privilege of interment of the remains of any deceased person in any cemetery described in § 55-12-1 solely because of the race or color of such deceased person. Any contract, agreement, deed, covenant, restriction, or charter provision at any time entered into, or bylaw, rule, or regulation adopted or put in force, either subsequent or prior to the effective date of this chapter, authorizing, permitting, or requiring any organization subject to the provisions of chapter 55-12 to deny such privilege of interment because of race or color of such deceased person is hereby declared to be null and void and in conflict with the public policy of this state. No organization subject to the provisions of chapter 55-12 or any director, officer, agent, employee, or trustee thereof or therefor, shall be liable for damages or other relief, or be subjected to any action in any court otherwise having jurisdiction in the premises by reason of refusing to commit any act prohibited by this section.

Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 34-27-5

  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Deed: The legal instrument used to transfer title in real property from one person to another.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Person: includes natural persons, partnerships, associations, cooperative corporations, limited liability companies, and corporations. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2
  • Petty offense: A federal misdemeanor punishable by six months or less in prison. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.

Source: SL 1955, ch 97, §§ 8, 9; SDC Supp 1960, §§ 11.19A08, 11.9902; SL 1977, ch 190, § 71.