Search Bills

establish scholarships for individuals pursuing careers in the behavioral health field, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.

# HB 1044 Summary South Dakota will create scholarships to help people pursue careers in behavioral health fields like counseling, psychology, and mental health services. The state will provide funding for these scholarships to address the shortage of behavioral health professionals in the state. The bill declares the scholarships an emergency measure, allowing them to take effect immediately.

To celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the National Wild Turkey Federation and recognize the organization's significant contributions to scientific wildlife management, research, and habitat conservation, as well as promoting and protecting the long-honored outdoor traditions of the United States of America.

This resolution celebrates the National Wild Turkey Federation's 50th anniversary and recognizes its work in wildlife management, research, and habitat conservation. The resolution does not change any state law—it is simply a statement of appreciation from the South Dakota House of Representatives for the organization's contributions to outdoor traditions and wildlife protection.

provide the Department of Health with oversight authority for the provision of emergency medical services.

SB 101 gives the South Dakota Department of Health authority to oversee how emergency medical services and ambulances are provided throughout the state, rather than leaving this entirely to individual counties and municipalities. The bill reorganizes and clarifies existing rules about who can provide ambulance services and what equipment they must have, while maintaining the ability of counties and cities to run their own services or contract with others.

require updated cost report information for certain community-based health and human services providers.

South Dakota's two social services departments must now update cost report information annually for community-based health and human services providers, rather than waiting up to five years between comprehensive reviews. This change allows the state to adjust payment rates more frequently based on current provider costs, while still conducting full rate analyses at least every five years or more often if needed.

annually adjust the rate for community-based providers to one hundred percent of methodology.

Starting in 2023, South Dakota will annually increase the payment rates for community-based providers so they receive 100 percent of the established methodology cost—meaning providers get paid their full calculated costs rather than a reduced percentage. This change applies to all community-based providers covered under chapter 28-22, as long as federal funding rules allow it.

Celebrating the life, legacy, and accomplishments of "Big" Tom Olson.

This is a ceremonial resolution that honors the life and accomplishments of "Big" Tom Olson—it does not change any state law. The resolution expresses the South Dakota House of Representatives' appreciation for Olson's contributions, but serves only as a formal recognition rather than creating new legal requirements or modifying existing statutes.

authorize the provision of medical records and the imposition of related fees.

SB 181 creates new rules allowing South Dakota health care providers and medical records companies to share patient medical records and charge fees for doing so. The law defines key terms like "medical records," "health care providers," and "patients" (including authorized representatives and parents of minors) to establish a legal framework for how medical records can be accessed and what charges are permitted.

Proposing and submitting to the electors at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, updating references to certain officeholders and persons.

This is a proposal to amend South Dakota's Constitution by updating outdated references to certain state officials and government positions. Voters will decide on this constitutional update at the next general election.

prohibit certain medical and surgical interventions on minor patients.

HB 1080 prohibits healthcare providers from prescribing puberty-blocking drugs, hormone treatments, or performing surgeries on minors under 18 when the purpose is to alter the minor's sex characteristics or match a gender identity different from their biological sex. The bill defines "sex" based on chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive organs at birth, and creates exceptions for treating disease or injury unrelated to sex characteristics.

modify acceptable conduct for practitioners related to medical cannabis.

HB1154 clarifies and expands the rules about what medical cannabis practitioners cannot do—it's now illegal for them to refer patients to cannabis businesses that advertise, issue certifications while financially invested in those businesses, offer discounts to get people to come in for certifications, conduct medical assessments in bars or liquor-licensed spaces, or charge patients based on how long their certification lasts. These restrictions prevent practitioners from profiting off the medical cannabis system or using high-pressure sales tactics.

provide for the study of developmental disability services and to provide an appropriation therefor.

SB 177 authorizes a study of South Dakota's developmental disability services and provides funding for that research. The bill does not change existing disability services law itself, but rather directs the state to examine how these services currently operate and are delivered.

update provisions related to the licensure of speech-language pathologists and speech-language pathology assistants.

This bill updates South Dakota's licensing rules for speech-language pathologists and their assistants by adding new definitions and clarifying their scope of practice. Specifically, it adds "endoscopy" (a procedure using cameras to evaluate swallowing and voice disorders) and "telepractice" (remote service delivery) as recognized practices, and introduces a new "provisional license" category for recent graduates completing required supervised experience. The bill also reorganizes and modernizes the existing definitions in state law to better reflect current professional standards.

require updated cost report information for certain community-based health and human services providers.

This bill appropriates $1 from the state general fund for improving South Dakota's social and economic viability, though the minimal amount suggests this is largely a procedural or emergency measure rather than a substantive funding bill. The bill declares an emergency so the appropriation takes effect immediately upon passage, and any unspent funds will be returned according to standard state reversion procedures.

modify practice criteria for physician assistants.

Senate Bill 175 modifies how physician assistants in South Dakota can practice by changing the terminology from "supervising physician" requirements to a "practice collaborative agreement" model that emphasizes communication and consultation between the physician assistant and their supervising physician rather than strict oversight. The bill requires that physician assistants with fewer than 2,080 practice hours must have a written agreement with their supervising physician that describes what tasks they can perform and the level of supervision they'll receive. This shift moves toward a more collaborative relationship between physician assistants and physicians while maintaining physician oversight for less experienced practitioners.

exempt records regarding jail inmate disciplinary matters from public inspection and copying.

SB 53 makes records about jail inmate discipline confidential and prevents the public from accessing or copying them. This closes off what had previously been public information, allowing jails to keep details about inmate punishments and rule violations private.

create provisions for the Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model to be reimbursable for insurance.

Starting January 1, 2024, health insurance companies in South Dakota must cover mental health and substance abuse treatment delivered through the Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model, which is a team-based approach where a primary care doctor, care manager, and psychiatric consultant work together to treat patients. This new requirement applies to all individual and group health insurance policies renewed or issued in the state, except for limited-benefit plans that cover only specific diseases.

authorize the performance and reporting of medical procedures to avert the death or physical impairment of a pregnant female and to declare an emergency.

This bill clarifies when doctors can perform abortions in South Dakota to save a pregnant woman's life or prevent serious physical harm, requiring them to determine the woman faces a substantial risk of death or permanent damage to a major bodily function before proceeding. The bill also requires that any such abortion must take place at a hospital and mandates doctors to report details about the procedure to the Department of Health within 30 days, including patient demographics, the medical reason, method used, and fetal age.

modify debilitating medical conditions for medical cannabis use.

SB1 modifies South Dakota's medical cannabis program by updating the legal definitions and requirements for patients seeking medical marijuana cards, including clarifying the "bona fide practitioner-patient relationship" that doctors must establish with patients before recommending cannabis. The bill specifies the allowable amounts patients can possess—up to three ounces of cannabis flower plus specified cannabis products—and allows some cardholders to grow up to four cannabis plants at home. These changes update the state's medical cannabis regulations to provide clearer rules for both patients and healthcare providers.

provide for the study of long-term care services and to provide an appropriation therefor.

South Dakota will conduct a study during 2023 to examine the challenges facing long-term care service providers and identify solutions for a sustainable long-term care system in the state. The bill appropriates $1 from the general fund to support this study effort.

revise rebating provisions in the insurance code.

SB85 overhauls South Dakota's insurance rebate rules by eliminating three outdated rebate provisions and updating the requirements for how insurers can offer rebates to customers. The changes modernize the rebating framework while maintaining consumer protections under state insurance law.

provide for transparency in the pricing of prescription drugs.

HB 1135 requires health insurers, health plans, and other entities that provide health coverage in South Dakota to be transparent about how they price prescription drugs. The bill establishes definitions and oversight authority for monitoring drug pricing practices by these covered entities to help ensure South Dakotans have clearer information about what they're paying for medications.

amend provisions regarding delivery of electronic insurance documents.

This bill updates South Dakota's insurance document delivery rules to clarify what "electronic delivery" means and who qualifies as a "party" entitled to receive insurance notices. Insurance companies can now deliver documents by email (if the recipient consents) or by posting them online with a separate email notification alerting the recipient to check the posting. The bill also defines new categories like "covered employees" and "covered persons" in group health plans to ensure all relevant individuals receive required insurance documents.