PIERRE - Legislation designed to prevent gangs from branding their members has passed its first test in the South Dakota Legislature.

The House Judiciary Committee unanimously endorsed the measure after a prosecutor said gangs in Sioux Falls and Rapid City are increasingly resorting to branding with such things as cigarette lighters, chemicals and heated knives.

HB1162 received unanimous support of the committee, sending the bill to the full House.

The measure provides a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $2,000 fine for a first offense. Subsequent convictions could bring up to two years in prison.