Make an appropriation for providing a grant to a nonprofit that delivers diversion programming.
Summary
House Bill 1097 appropriates $2 million from the state general fund to the Department of Corrections for a grant to a nonprofit corporation that provides juvenile diversion programming in Sioux Falls. The grant is specifically tied to a partnership with the Sioux Falls Police Department and the Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office, and the nonprofit must use the funds to coordinate and host a week-long summer camp for sixth graders identified by school resource officers as candidates for diversion from criminal activity.
The bill requires the camp to be held once each year for ten years beginning in 2026, with law enforcement participation built into the program. It also requires three follow-up events each year for participants, their families, and law enforcement officers. The nonprofit must report annual outcome measures to the legislative special committee created under state law, and the Department of Corrections must distribute the appropriation in one-tenth increments each year. Any unspent funds revert by June 30, 2036, and the act becomes effective June 30, 2026.
Impact
HB1097 would create a new, dedicated state appropriation within the Department of Corrections for a specific nonprofit-led juvenile diversion initiative in Sioux Falls. It does not broadly amend criminal statutes, but it does establish a ten-year funding and reporting structure for a targeted prevention program involving local law enforcement, school resource officers, and youth identified as at risk of criminal involvement. The bill also sets administrative duties for the Department of Corrections, state auditor, and the nonprofit recipient, while tying the grant to measurable outcomes and annual reporting.
Sentiment
Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, the bill’s sentiment can only be inferred from its design. The measure appears generally supportive of juvenile prevention and community policing efforts, reflecting an interest in early intervention and relationship-building between youth and law enforcement. The structure of the appropriation and reporting requirements suggests an emphasis on accountability and long-term program evaluation rather than a one-time grant.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are the size and specificity of the appropriation, the fact that the money is directed to a single nonprofit in one city, and the use of state funds for a program closely coordinated with law enforcement. Some may question whether the state should commit $2 million over ten years to one local diversion model, whether the program’s outcomes are sufficiently defined, and whether the legislature is favoring one provider over others. Others may support the bill as a targeted investment in juvenile crime prevention and community engagement.