HB 1274 prohibits the delivery or distribution of abortion-inducing medicine, drugs, or substances into South Dakota for purposes of an illegal abortion, with exceptions for self-administration by a pregnant person, life-saving medical procedures, or miscarriage management. It establishes a Class 6 felony for violating this prohibition, imposes civil penalties up to $10,000 per dose, and allows civil lawsuits for wrongful death of an unborn child by specific parties (e.g., parents, the pregnant person, or their estate). The bill directly affects medical providers, pharmacies, and anyone transporting such substances into the state, while exempting individuals acting in self-defense or under medical necessity. The attorney general may seek injunctions to stop violations and collect civil penalties for deposit into a state fund.
SB 89 requires all South Dakota counties and municipalities to ensure a minimum level of emergency medical services (including response times, staffing, and treatment protocols) are available within their boundaries for prehospital care. It directs the state health department to create rules defining these minimum standards, covering aspects like ambulance response and required personnel. The bill also establishes a legislative task force to study funding mechanisms for these services and report recommendations by November 2026. The law would take effect on July 1, 2028, impacting local governments responsible for emergency medical service provision.
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.
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.
This bill creates a taskforce to study how South Dakota could establish Medicaid managed care entities specifically serving tribal communities, as defined under federal law. The taskforce includes representatives from all federally recognized South Dakota tribes, state health and social services agencies, healthcare providers, insurance companies, and tribal relations officials. It must gather input from stakeholders and submit findings and potential legislation to the Governor by December 2028. The bill does not implement new programs but sets a process for evaluating this option.
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.
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 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.
SB 8 allows South Dakota public schools to stock and administer epinephrine nasal spray (in addition to auto-injectors) for students experiencing severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) during school hours. It requires schools to adopt clear policies for storage and use, notify parents about these policies, and train designated staff (like school nurses) to recognize allergic reactions, administer the nasal spray, and provide emergency care. The bill also provides liability protection for schools and staff who follow the protocol, shielding them from ordinary negligence claims when acting in good faith during emergencies. This directly affects all public school districts, students with allergies, and school personnel authorized to respond to allergic emergencies.
