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 appropriates $5 million from the general fund to provide grants for volunteer fire departments in South Dakota to purchase safety gear (like helmets and suits) for their firefighters. It specifically targets departments where at least 70% of firefighters volunteer, prioritizing those with the greatest equipment needs. The Department of Public Safety will distribute funds based on application timing and need, with unspent funds reverting by June 2030. An emergency declaration allows the funding to take effect immediately upon passage.
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 63 establishes a State Office of Apprenticeship within South Dakota's Department of Labor and Regulation. The office will serve as the state's main agency for apprenticeships, setting standards for training programs, promoting apprenticeship opportunities, and resolving disputes between apprentices and employers. It directly affects apprentices, employers, and training programs participating in registered apprenticeships across South Dakota. The office will implement federal apprenticeship standards effective January 1, 2026, as outlined in 29 C.F.R. § 29.1-29.14.
SB 205 revises drone registration fees in South Dakota, charging 1.5% of purchase price for agricultural drones and 2% for all other drones. The collected fees fund a new "drone aviation fund" administered by the Board of Technical Education to support drone training grants at state technical colleges. This bill directly affects drone owners (especially agricultural users) by changing their registration tax rates and creating a dedicated funding source for drone industry workforce development. The fund will receive all drone registration fees and interest, with expenditures requiring annual budget approval. The bill does not apply to small unmanned aircraft systems covered under federal regulations.
HB 1163 prohibits employers, schools, and public accommodations from requiring genetic-based vaccinations (defined as those using mRNA, DNA, or similar genetic technology) as a condition for employment, enrollment, or services. It also bans adverse actions like termination or denial of services based on vaccination status. The bill allows reasonable safety measures like masks or remote work but exempts healthcare facilities under federal rules, existing school vaccine requirements, health science program placements, court-ordered vaccinations, and the National Guard. This directly affects employers, educational institutions, and public service providers in South Dakota.
HB 1217 would restrict public education employers in South Dakota, such as school districts and technical colleges, from using taxpayer funds or resources to support labor unions or their activities. The bill specifically prohibits actions like deducting union dues from employee paychecks, sharing employee personal information with unions without consent, using school facilities for union membership drives, or favoring one union over another. It also bans public education employers from contributing public money to unions or providing paid time off for union-related activities. Violations would be subject to penalties, though the exact penalty details are not provided in the bill text. This bill directly affects how public education employers interact with labor organizations and their employees.
