Healthcare

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1148: adopt the respiratory care interstate compact.

HB 1148 adopts the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, allowing respiratory therapists licensed in South Dakota to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The bill also requires respiratory care practitioners to undergo a criminal background check and submit fingerprints as part of their South Dakota licensure application. This compact aims to increase access to respiratory therapy services, support military families by easing relocation for therapists, and address workforce shortages through streamlined interstate practice. It preserves each state’s authority to regulate licensure and protect public health while creating a standardized process for therapists moving across state lines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases access to respiratory therapy services by enabling cross-state practice under the interstate compact, directly improving patient access to healthcare professionals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Public Health

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1212: revise provisions in order to strengthen protections for unborn children.

HB 1212 repeals a provision that previously shielded women from criminal liability for unlawful abortions. It removes the exception that prevented homicide charges when an abortion caused an unborn child's death, making such cases subject to standard homicide laws (Class B felony). The bill directly affects women seeking abortions and medical providers performing them, as it eliminates prior legal protections for abortion-related deaths. Exceptions for lifesaving procedures to preserve the mother's life or spontaneous miscarriages remain unchanged.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by removing abortion-related death exception, subjecting cases to homicide laws (Class B felony), directly increasing criminal liability.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill removes legal protections for abortion-related deaths, subjecting providers to homicide charges and restricting access to abortion services, a core healthcare component.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Women's Health

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

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 145: revise the limitations on a municipality's power to take actions for the promotion of health or the suppression of disease.

This bill (SB 145) amends South Dakota law to clarify and expand municipalities' authority to take actions promoting health or suppressing disease. It removes specific restrictions that previously limited municipal power, such as prohibitions against actions that might interfere with religious freedom, free speech, assembly, or Second Amendment rights. Municipalities can now enact health-related ordinances or resolutions without needing to avoid these specific constitutional considerations. The change directly affects all South Dakota cities and towns when creating local health or disease prevention policies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands municipal authority to enact health ordinances without constitutional barriers, directly advancing public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

died · South Dakota · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1145: clarify provisions related to the licensure of certified social workers in private, independent practice and establish an alternative to the licensure examination.

HB 1145 clarifies licensing requirements for certified social workers practicing privately in South Dakota and creates an experience-based alternative to the standard licensure exam. It allows individuals who failed the exam on or after January 1, 2021, to qualify by providing 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience instead of passing the exam. This experience must occur after obtaining initial certification, be supervised by a qualified social worker or approved mental health professional, and be completed within ten years of applying. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and applies directly to social workers seeking private practice licensure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates alternative licensure pathway for social workers, increasing access to mental health services by reducing exam barriers for qualified practitioners.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Mental Health

Track

died · South Dakota · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 1144: restrict the use of artificial intelligence in therapy and psychotherapy services and to provide a penalty therefor.

HB 1144 would restrict how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in therapy and psychotherapy services in South Dakota. Licensed therapists (including psychologists, social workers, counselors, and marriage and family therapists) would be prohibited from using AI to make treatment decisions, interact directly with clients during sessions, generate treatment plans without review, or detect emotions - except for specific administrative tasks like scheduling, billing, or anonymized data analysis. The bill requires written client consent for AI recording of sessions, with strict rules against obtaining consent through vague agreements or deceptive tactics. Violations could result in civil penalties of up to $10,000 per incident, with therapists retaining full responsibility for all AI-assisted interactions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestricts AI in therapy to maintain human oversight, protecting patient care in mental health services per bill's intent.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly prohibits AI use in therapy decisions, client interactions, and treatment planning, directly restricting technology application in healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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

Track

passed · South Dakota · House Jan 29, 2026

HB 1085: establish provisions for the coverage of nonopioid prescription drugs.

HB 1085 requires South Dakota health insurers to cover nonopioid prescription drugs for pain treatment when prescribed by a doctor, without denying coverage in favor of opioids. Insurers cannot impose stricter approval steps (like prior authorization) or higher cost-sharing tiers for nonopioid drugs compared to opioids or narcotics. This directly affects patients seeking pain management and insurers operating in South Dakota, ensuring equal coverage treatment for nonopioid options when clinically appropriate. The law applies to all health insurance policies sold or renewed in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal insurance coverage for nonopioid pain drugs vs opioids, removing barriers to patient access and promoting safer pain management options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

Track

signed · South Dakota · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 1043: make an appropriation to reimburse health care professionals who have complied with the requirements for rural recruitment assistance programs, and to declare an emergency.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.35M from state general fund to reimburse rural healthcare providers, directly funding a public health program through budget appropriation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $978,294 + $370,000 to reimburse rural healthcare providers for recruitment program costs, directly funding access to underserved areas per §34-12G-3/12.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Healthcare Workforce

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1127: revise provisions related to birth centers and the practice of certified professional midwives at birth centers.

HB 1127 revises South Dakota's regulations for birth centers and certified professional midwives. It requires birth centers to obtain a license from the Department of Health (with a $500 fee), mandates risk assessments to confirm low-risk pregnancies before admission, and requires written care plans addressing each client's medical and emotional needs. The bill also mandates that a practitioner or registered nurse be on-site during active labor and repeals the previous requirement that birth centers be within 30 minutes of a hospital. These changes directly affect birth centers, certified midwives, and patients seeking care at these facilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates safety protocols (risk assessments, on-site care) and regulated standards for birth centers, enhancing patient safety and access to midwifery services within healthcare framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Hospitals

Track