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and legislative leaders. The changes seek to treat more nonviolent offenders through intensive probation, parole and other programs. Without the sweeping changes to the criminal justice system, the state would have to build a new men's prison and new women's prison in the next decade, they said.
• Most of that law takes effect Monday, but other parts will be phased in over the next year.
• The bill will use intensive probation and parole, along with expanded special courts and other programs that treat drug and alcohol offenders, as part of an effort to divert offenders from prison and prevent them from committing future crimes.
• Jackley said he and other law enforcement officials agreed to the changes because dangerous criminals will continue to be punished severely. For example, the bill cuts the maximum penalty for drug possession while increasing it for making or selling drugs.
• "The people we truly need to protect society from, we were given the tools to do that," Jackley said. "This approach gave us what we needed to be smart on crime and still protect the community."
• Another new law prohibits beginning drivers from using cellphones or other electronic devices while behind the wheel until they get unrestricted licenses at age 16. South Dakota allows 14-year-olds to get instruction permits, the nation's youngest age for driving while accompanied by an adult. Those young drivers can graduate to restricted permits that allow them to drive alone in the daytime after six months, or just 90 days if they have completed a driver's education course.
• The measure's main sponsor, Sen. Craig Tieszen, R-Rapid City, said he hopes it will save lives, even though police can't stop a young driver just for using a cellphone. Police can issue a ticket for driving while using a cellphone only after stopping a beginning driver for some other traffic violation.
• "It still sends the right message to teen drivers," Tieszen said.
• The Legislature also passed a measure that in some cases could extend what is already the longest abortion waiting period in the U.S. Women seeking abortions in South Dakota must wait three days after seeing an abortion clinic doctor before they can have the procedure. The new law says weekends and holidays do not count in calculating the three-day waiting period.
• Supporters said the change would make sure a woman has time to reflect and receive counseling before ending a pregnancy. The 2011 law that established the three-day waiting period also requires women seeking abortions to undergo counseling at pregnancy help centers, which discourage abortions. However, that counseling hasn't taken effect because of a court challenge.

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