Sen. Kevin Jensen

Maddy summaryThis bill requires South Dakota public schools to teach prenatal human growth and development in health or science classes using specific materials. It mandates that schools use resources recommended by the state Board of Education, including at least three minutes of high-definition ultrasound videos showing organ development or computer-generated animations of prenatal growth from fertilization to birth. The law prohibits using any materials from entities that perform, promote, or refer to abortion services. This directly affects K-12 public school curricula in South Dakota, altering required health/science content.

Maddy summarySB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 1077 classifies cultivated-protein food products (lab-grown meat alternatives made from animal cells grown in vitro) as "adulterated food" under South Dakota's existing food safety laws. This bill directly affects producers and sellers of these products by automatically subjecting them to current adulteration penalties without requiring new safety standards. The key provision adds a specific definition in Section 39-4-2(8), stating such products are deemed adulterated regardless of their safety or labeling. The law does not create new regulations but applies existing food safety definitions to this emerging food category. This change would require cultivated-protein producers to comply with all current adulteration enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 1187 adds coaches to South Dakota's list of mandatory reporters required to report suspected child abuse or neglect. The bill directly affects coaches who work with children under 18, including those in school sports, youth programs, or other settings involving minors. Coaches would now be legally obligated to report suspected abuse or neglect, just like teachers, doctors, and other existing mandatory reporters listed in state law. This change aligns coaches with similar professionals already required to make such reports under South Dakota statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 1184 defines "female" in South Dakota law as "an individual who naturally has, had, will have, or would have, but for a congenital anomaly or intentional or unintentional disruption, the reproductive system that produces, transports, and utilizes eggs for fertilization." This definition applies to all state laws, regulations, and programs. The bill prohibits state funding for any program, service, or policy that contradicts this definition of "female." It directly affects state agencies, healthcare providers, schools, and any entity receiving state funds that use gender-related terms.

Maddy summarySB 90 requires South Dakota's prescription drug monitoring program to collect a patient's gender in addition to existing information (name, date of birth, address, and registry card number) for each medical marijuana registry cardholder. This change applies specifically to individuals holding a qualifying patient registry identification card under South Dakota law. The bill amends existing statute to mandate that the department submit gender data to the monitoring program for all cardholders, including nonresidents. This update aims to expand the demographic data available in the state's drug monitoring system.

Maddy summaryThis 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.

Maddy summarySB 179 allows South Dakota courts to commit juveniles adjudicated delinquent for specific weapons offenses to the Department of Corrections, but only under strict conditions. It applies when no other viable alternative exists, corrections is the least restrictive option, and the juvenile was convicted of certain weapons offenses (like those under §22-14-5, 22-14-7, 22-14-20, or 23-7-44). The court must also find the juvenile poses a significant risk of physical harm, has prior adjudications for separate offenses, or meets specific high-risk re-offense criteria. This change modifies existing juvenile disposition options under §26-8C-7, adding a limited pathway to corrections for serious weapons cases. It directly affects juveniles convicted of these specific weapons offenses who meet all the enumerated conditions.

Maddy summarySB 3 limits local governments in South Dakota from requiring building permits for specific minor residential repairs and renovations on owner-occupied homes. It prohibits counties, municipalities, and townships from mandating permits for exterior repairs like replacing doors, windows, siding, gutters, or roof shingles, as well as interior work that doesn’t affect structural elements like foundations, load-bearing walls, or major utility systems. The bill directly affects homeowners performing these routine maintenance tasks without needing local permit approval. This is a procedural change focused on reducing bureaucratic hurdles for small-scale home improvements.

Maddy summaryHB 1265 creates an "Avian Special Purpose Salvage Permit" allowing landowners or farmers to legally salvage, incubate, and release eggs from non-migratory bird nests accidentally destroyed during normal agricultural or lawful activities. The permit, valid annually until December 31, requires a $10 fee and authorizes three specific actions: salvaging eggs, incubating them, and banding/releasing the birds at an appropriate developmental stage. The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission will establish rules for release criteria, documentation, and the permit process. This bill directly affects landowners whose operations unintentionally disturb non-migratory bird nests, providing a legal pathway to salvage eggs instead of facing misdemeanor charges under existing law.