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SD federal court ranks among most productive in US
• RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) -- South Dakota has been ranked second in the nation for the number of federal criminal jury trials handled by district judges in active status.
• The Administrative Office of the United State Courts recently released the productivity and trial statistics for fiscal year 2013. The statistics factor the work of district courts in the country's 94 federal districts.
• Federal judges in active status handle full criminal and civil caseloads, while judges with senior status carry a smaller caseload.
• South Dakota's three active status federal district judges are Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken of Rapid City, and Judges Karen E. Schreier and Roberto A. Lange, both of Sioux Falls.
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South Dakota committee sets autism study guides
NORA HERTEL, Associated Press
• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The death of a bill to require insurers to cover autism inspired a South Dakota legislator to set up a task force on the issue.
• "This came really hard and fast to me," said Rep. Scott Munsterman, R-Brookings. "Everyone agrees they needed to have that discussion whether (that bill) failed or not."
• A South Dakota special committee of representatives and senators agreed Thursday on parameters for that study on autism spectrum disorders.
• The task force would explore the issue and make policy suggestions. The study would cover insurance and treatment costs, availability of services and treatment protocols.
• The state's human services and labor and regulation departments would collaborate on the project.
• Representatives in the House and the Senate voted unanimously Thursday to accept the special committee's plan. Gov. Dennis Daugaard's administration has expressed support for the measure.
• The task force bill initially addressed another issue, but Munsterman brought an amendment to overhaul it.
• The House did not agree with all the details of the study laid out in Munsterman's plan, so the special committee discussed details on the study with Kim Malsam-Rysdon from the governor's office.
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