S.D. Codified Laws § 3-12C-213
Any person aggrieved by a final determination made by the system's staff may request review of the final determination and a decision by the executive director if the request is made in writing within thirty days after receiving the final determination. The person, if then aggrieved by the executive director's decision, may appeal the decision, if the person files a written notice of appeal with the executive director within thirty days of the date of the decision. The notice shall identify the person appealing and the decision appealed. The appeal shall be conducted by a hearing examiner in accordance with chapter 1-26. The hearing examiner, after hearing the evidence in the matter, shall make proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, and a proposed decision. The executive director shall accept, reject, or modify the findings, conclusions, and decision of the hearing examiner and such action constitutes the final agency decision. Alternatively, the executive director may appoint the hearing examiner to make the final agency decision. The final agency decision may be appealed to circuit court pursuant to chapter 1-26. The executive director may arrange for the assistance of private counsel throughout the appeal process.
SDCL 3-12C-213