Healthcare

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1257: amend the definition of an abortion.

HB 1257 redefines "abortion" in South Dakota law to include any action intending to terminate a pregnancy with knowledge it will likely cause the unborn child's death, while excluding specific medical treatments (like miscarriage care, ectopic pregnancy treatment, or procedures to save the unborn child's life). It requires physicians to determine that a pregnancy poses a "reasonably foreseeable risk of death" to the mother before permitting an abortion, mandates attempts to preserve both lives when possible, and mandates hospital-based reporting to the Department of Health. The bill directly affects pregnant individuals, physicians, and hospitals by setting strict medical criteria for legal abortions and prohibiting abortions based solely on psychological conditions or self-harm fears. It does not criminalize all abortions but creates a narrow exception for life-threatening conditions, with violations classified as Class 6 felonies.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts abortion access by mandating risk assessments and preserving both lives, limiting patient access to healthcare services within the defined medical exceptions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1140: permit a court to impose as a condition of probation, or parole in certain circumstances, treatment at a nonprofit entity awarded an alternative care program grant.

HB 1140 allows South Dakota courts to require defendants on probation or parole to complete treatment at nonprofit organizations that have received state grants for "alternative care programs," specifically for individuals convicted of repeat DUI/DWI offenses. The bill adds this option as a condition of probation (under § 23A-27-18.3), requiring the defendant’s consent, program availability, and pre-sentencing application approval. It directly affects individuals convicted of third or fourth DUI/DWI offenses who are on probation or parole, offering an alternative to jail time through treatment. The law modifies driver’s license revocation rules (§ 32-23-4 and 32-23-4.6), allowing courts to permit limited driving (e.g., for work or treatment) upon successful completion of such programs. This creates a concrete pathway for court-mandated treatment instead of incarceration for eligible offenders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates treatment for repeat DUI offenders via approved nonprofits, reducing recidivism through rehabilitation instead of punishment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates substance abuse treatment via state-funded grants for DUI offenders, improving healthcare access and supporting treatment services as a health service.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

vetoed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1138: require the licensure of non-medical home care agencies, and to provide a penalty therefor.

HB 1138 requires non-medical home care agencies in South Dakota to obtain a license from the Department of Health before operating. Agencies must submit applications, pay a fee (capped at $100), and verify that home care aides complete 10 hours of mandatory training (covering dementia care, safety, nutrition, and abuse reporting) and pass criminal background checks. The bill directly affects home care agencies, their employees (home care aides), and clients receiving services like bathing assistance, meal prep, or companionship in their homes. Operating without a license is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and agencies must maintain client records and allow department inspections.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires licensure, training, and background checks for home care agencies to ensure safety and quality, directly enhancing public health and safety protections for vulnerable clients.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates safety training and background checks for home care aides, enhancing workplace safety standards per bill's focus on public health and safety.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

Track

passed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 220: authorize a comprehensive study of juvenile correctional and residential facilities, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $50,000 from general fund for juvenile facility study, directly funding a state budget item per its 'Appropriation' subject.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds study to evaluate juvenile facilities, therapeutic models, and mental health services - directly advancing rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform in juvenile system.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates study of mental health services integration in juvenile facilities, directly aligning with healthcare support indicators for mental health services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

Track

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 1105: restrict contracts and declarations that prohibit the use of commercial or residential property for any healthcare service in medically underserved areas or communities, or in areas with a medically underserved population under federal law.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves property restrictions to improve healthcare access in underserved areas, enabling clinics and services where needed most.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

Track

failed · South Dakota · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1210: prohibit COVID-19 vaccination requirements and to provide a penalty therefor.

HB 1210 bans employers, schools, state agencies, and other entities from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations as a condition for employment, enrollment, or accessing services. It directly affects workers, students, and individuals seeking public benefits or services. Violating this ban would result in a Class 2 misdemeanor penalty. The law overrides existing requirements and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBans mandatory vaccinations, restricting public health enforcement measures that protect community health and disease control, directly opposing healthcare initiatives requiring immunization compliance.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

Track

in committee · South Dakota · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 1153: protect certain rights of healthcare providers.

HB 1153 protects healthcare providers' right to refuse participation in or payment for medical services that conflict with their moral, ethical, or religious beliefs (Section 2). It applies broadly to all healthcare professionals (like doctors, nurses, pharmacists), healthcare entities (hospitals, clinics), and organizations arranging medical payments (Section 1). The bill prohibits discrimination against providers who exercise this right, engage in protected speech about it, report violations, or disclose conscience-related concerns to authorities (Section 3). It clarifies that employers may accommodate this right through reassignment or schedule changes but cannot retaliate, while not affecting existing duties to provide non-conflicting care.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareAllows healthcare providers to refuse services based on beliefs, restricting patient access to certain care like abortion or contraception, directly limiting healthcare availability.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

Track

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 1170: allow online access to verify registry status for organ donation.

HB 1170 requires South Dakota's Department of Public Safety to make the state's organ donation registry accessible online 24/7, allowing registered donors or authorized individuals to verify their status anytime. It directly affects South Dakotans who are organ donors or considering donation, as well as organ procurement organizations and donation agencies that need to access registry information. The bill mandates that the registry must allow online registration, amendment, revocation, and verification of donor status, while ensuring personally identifiable information is protected and only used for determining donation status near death. This change streamlines access to the registry without altering the underlying donation process or eligibility rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMakes organ donation registry accessible online, improving public health program access and facilitating donor verification for healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

Track

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1112: modify the definition of an electronic smoking device.

HB 1112 modifies South Dakota's definition of "electronic smoking device" to explicitly include any device containing or delivering nicotine (or other substances with nicotine) intended for human consumption. This change clarifies that e-cigarettes, vape pens, e-cigars, and similar devices delivering nicotine fall under the definition, regardless of other substances they may contain. The amendment directly affects tobacco businesses selling these products and enforcement of existing laws regulating electronic smoking devices. The bill does not create new restrictions but ensures the definition aligns with how such devices are commonly used and marketed.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies nicotine device definition to strengthen public health regulations under public health safety, directly addressing health risks from nicotine products.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

Track

signed · South Dakota · House Jan 29, 2026

HB 1044: make an appropriation to implement the rural health transformation program, and to declare an emergency.

This bill appropriates $500 million in federal funds to the South Dakota Department of Health to implement the rural health transformation program, authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Pub. L. No. 119-21). It directly affects rural healthcare providers and facilities by funding program implementation. Key provisions include requiring the health secretary to approve vouchers for payments and mandating unspent funds by June 30, 2031, to revert per state law. The bill also declares an emergency to expedite its implementation upon passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $500M federal funds for rural health program, directly funding essential healthcare services through state budget mechanisms per bill's core purpose.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates $500M in federal funds to implement rural health transformation program, directly funding healthcare services for rural providers per health care subject and appropriation provisions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare