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penalty. Drivers can be ticketed for texting violations only if they are stopped for another traffic offense.
• Legislators hope the ban will discourage most people from texting while they drive. The Department of Public Safety has been working on a related public information campaign since lawmakers approved the legislation.
• The state's abortion laws have a new provision forbidding an abortion based on gender of the fetus, though law opponents said it was unnecessary because there were no such incidents.
• Another ban will keep local governments from setting policies that affect any one specific breed of dog. Such policies often target pit bulls, according to law supporters, and infringe on owners' rights to keep the dog of their choosing. Communities can, however, continue to set policies that affect all breeds of dogs.
• DOMESTIC ABUSE LAWS
• Five out of six domestic violence laws proposed by a summer study committee will become law. One expands domestic abuse protections to people who are in a significant romantic relationship or are expecting a child together, whether or not they live together. Another law would delay the arrest of a domestic violence victim if the victim had a warrant out for another crime but is responsible for a child.
• GUN REGULATIONS
• Another new law seeks to help keep guns away from those who are mentally ill and deemed a threat to themselves or others.
• Under the measure, people who are involuntarily committed to a mental health facility after a hearing with a county board would be added to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which licensed firearms dealers check to determine whether a customer is eligible to buy a gun. People acquitted of crimes by reason of insanity or deemed too mentally incompetent to stand trial also would be added to the registry.
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• WESSINGTON SPRINGS, S.D. (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson says it's inspiring to see so many South Dakotans help the Wessington Springs community rebuild through donating and volunteering after a June 18 tornado damaged dozens of homes and businesses.
• Johnson met Monday with Mayor Melissa Mebius and toured areas affected by the tornado. Johnson and Mebius also joined other city officials and emergency management personnel to discuss ways the community can continue to recover, re

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