HB 1099 would reclassify FDA-approved psilocybin medications from Schedule I to Schedule IV under South Dakota law. This change would allow medical providers to prescribe these specific pharmaceutical products without the strict restrictions currently applied to Schedule I substances. The bill specifically affects only psilocybin in drug products approved by the FDA, not raw psilocybin or unapproved formulations. This amendment aligns South Dakota's scheduling with federal approval status for medical use.
HB 1164 makes it a Class 5 felony for licensed healthcare providers to use reproductive material (like sperm or eggs) without a patient’s written consent during assisted reproduction procedures (e.g., IVF). It directly affects healthcare providers, patients, donors, and children born from such procedures. The bill establishes civil liability, allowing patients, spouses, intended parents, children, or donors to sue for $10,000 in liquidated damages plus other costs and attorney fees. Lawsuits must be filed within five years of the child’s 18th birthday or when evidence (like DNA results) is discovered.
HB 1101 prohibits insurers from denying or limiting life, disability, or long-term care insurance coverage solely because someone is a living organ donor. It specifically bans insurers from: (1) refusing coverage based on donor status, (2) requiring donors to stop donating to maintain coverage, or (3) charging higher premiums or imposing other restrictions due to donor status alone. The bill ensures that living organ donors cannot face insurance discrimination without evidence of actual increased health risk. This directly protects individuals who donate organs while alive from unfair treatment by insurance companies.
HB 1160 repeals the legal requirement for a medical marijuana oversight committee in South Dakota. The bill ends a committee that was mandated to meet twice yearly to evaluate the medical cannabis program, including patient access, dispensary operations, testing facilities, and regulatory safeguards. This change removes the committee's structure and duties, which included making recommendations to the legislature about the program's effectiveness and regulations. The repeal applies to the medical cannabis program established under existing law.
South Dakota would join the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact, allowing physician assistants (PAs) licensed in other participating states to practice in South Dakota without obtaining a separate state license. This directly affects PAs - especially active-duty military personnel and their spouses - who can use their existing license from another participating state to practice in South Dakota. The key mechanism is the "Compact Privilege," which permits PAs to provide medical services where the patient is located, while maintaining patient safety through existing state licensing board oversight. This reduces licensing barriers for PAs and improves access to medical care across state lines.
HB 1279 permits technical college employees in South Dakota to join the state health plan, directly affecting permanent staff working 20+ hours weekly at least six months yearly. The bill requires the technical college’s local education agency (LEA) to pay equivalent monthly contributions instead of the state, and removes previous restrictions preventing these employees from enrolling. Key provisions include defining "technical college employee" and ensuring LEAs cover the same cost as the state does for other plan-eligible employees. The law takes effect July 1, 2027, and applies only to technical college staff, not other state workers.
SB 220 directs South Dakota's Department of Corrections to conduct a study evaluating juvenile correctional and residential facilities. The study must examine best practices, therapeutic housing models, vocational training combined with mental health services, and staff-to-youth ratios, including inspections at three facilities outside South Dakota. The bill appropriates $50,000 from the general fund to cover study costs and requires a written report to the Legislative Research Council by September 1, 2026. This is a procedural study bill with no direct policy changes or new requirements for facilities, solely aimed at gathering information for future decisions.
HB 1013 clarifies the specific purposes for which certain DUI offenders in South Dakota may operate a motor vehicle during a license revocation period. The bill explicitly permits driving for employment, school attendance, child care, health appointments, court/probation meetings, and treatment programs, provided the offender proves financial responsibility. It applies to individuals convicted of DUI-related offenses (listed in the bill) whose licenses are revoked for 90 days (first offense) or one year (subsequent offenses), ensuring courts can issue clear temporary driving permissions.
HB 1043 allocates $978,294 to reimburse 12 specific rural healthcare professionals (4 family physicians, 2 physician assistants, and 6 nurse practitioners) who met requirements under §34-12G-3 for rural recruitment programs. It also allocates $370,000 to reimburse other eligible healthcare professionals meeting requirements under §34-12G-12. The funds come from the state general fund and are intended to cover costs incurred by providers who participated in designated rural recruitment initiatives. The bill declares an emergency to expedite funding, with unspent funds reverting per standard procedures.
HB 1105 prevents property owners in specific areas from using contracts or declarations to block healthcare services on commercial property. It applies to municipalities/townships under 3,000 people (per federal census) or areas officially designated as medically underserved by South Dakota’s Department of Health. The bill invalidates any contract or declaration that restricts the use of commercial property for healthcare services like clinics, diagnoses, or treatment in these areas. This directly affects property owners and developers who previously could impose such restrictions, while enabling healthcare providers to operate in underserved communities.
