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adopt the interstate counseling licensure compact and revise educational requirements to comply with the compact.

South Dakota is joining an interstate compact that allows licensed counselors to practice across state lines more easily, similar to how some professions already operate regionally. The bill updates state counseling licensure requirements to meet the compact's standards and removes several outdated licensing provisions from state law. This makes it simpler for counselors to work in multiple states and for out-of-state counselors to serve South Dakota clients.

modify agency reporting requirements on licensure, certification, job placements, and the labor market.

HB1058 streamlines state agency reporting requirements by eliminating outdated reporting rules (repealing four existing law sections) and modifying how agencies report on licensing, certifications, job placements, and labor market data. The bill consolidates and updates these reporting requirements to reduce administrative burden while maintaining oversight of workforce development programs. The changes affect how state agencies track and report on professional licensure outcomes and employment data.

establish procedures for the termination of services by a provider through the CHOICES waiver program.

This bill establishes procedures for home and community-based service providers to terminate care for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities under South Dakota's CHOICES waiver program. Providers must now give at least 30 days' written notice to the participant (or their parent if under 18), their guardian if applicable, their service plan team, and the Department of Human Services before ending services, and the notice must explain the reason for termination and inform them of alternative services. This creates new rules where none previously existed to protect vulnerable participants from sudden loss of care.

recognize hair discrimination as an unfair or discriminatory practice for employment.

SB163 adds hair discrimination to South Dakota's list of unfair or discriminatory employment practices, meaning employers cannot make hiring, firing, or other job decisions based on an employee's hair texture, style, or grooming choices. This expands the state's anti-discrimination law (§21-16-7) to protect workers from bias related to hairstyles that may be associated with their race or cultural identity.

specify work search requirements for unemployment benefits.

SB181 updates South Dakota's unemployment benefits law to establish clearer requirements for how people receiving benefits must search for work. The bill modifies the existing work search rules in state law to specify what counts as an acceptable job search effort and what documentation recipients need to provide.

create the Commission on Indigent Legal Services and Office of Indigent Legal Services, to make an appropriation for reimbursing county indigent legal services, and to declare an emergency.

South Dakota creates a new Commission on Indigent Legal Services and Office of Indigent Legal Services to oversee and reimburse counties for providing legal representation to people who can't afford lawyers. The bill eliminates several outdated provisions in state law that previously governed indigent legal services and updates the rules for how this system operates. The legislature also appropriates funding for these county reimbursements and declares an emergency so the changes take effect immediately.

revise provisions regarding the 911 emergency surcharge.

HB 1092 revises how South Dakota collects and handles the 911 emergency surcharge by adding new requirements in state law chapters 36-32 and 11-15. The bill appears to create procedures related to fingerprint-based background checks for certain licensees participating in a counseling licensure compact, with fees for fingerprinting to be paid by the applicants. However, the provided text is incomplete and does not clearly show the specific changes to 911 surcharge provisions.

prohibit cost sharing in certain health insurance policies for diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging examinations.

Health insurance companies in South Dakota will be prohibited from charging patients any out-of-pocket costs—such as copays, deductibles, or coinsurance—for screening, diagnostic, and supplemental breast imaging exams. This applies to various types of breast imaging including mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRI scans that are medically necessary according to medical guidelines. The change ensures that cost barriers don't prevent people from getting breast cancer screenings and follow-up imaging exams.

make an appropriation for the erection of the South Dakota Sioux Code Talker Memorial and to declare an emergency.

SB 162 appropriates state funds to build a memorial honoring South Dakota's Sioux Code Talkers, who used their native language to send secret military messages during World War II. The bill declares an emergency, allowing the appropriation to take effect immediately rather than waiting for the standard effective date.

modify time limits for collection efforts for debts owed to the state.

SB 65 changes how long the state has to collect debts owed to it by modifying time limits and procedures for debt collection efforts. The bill repeals several existing debt collection provisions and updates the rules governing when the state can pursue collection of money people or businesses owe to South Dakota.

To analyze and report information on the healthcare workforce in South Dakota.

SCR 602 directs South Dakota to analyze and report on information about the state's healthcare workforce, including data on healthcare workers and workforce trends. The resolution amends existing law to establish this reporting requirement, helping policymakers understand the current state of healthcare employment in South Dakota.

Applying for a convention of states under Article V of the Constitution of the United States, to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and to limit the terms of office for members of Congress and other federal officials.

South Dakota is applying to Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, with the goal of proposing amendments that would limit federal spending and power and restrict how long members of Congress and other federal officials can serve. This is a request to participate in a multi-state effort to change the U.S. Constitution itself, not a change to state law. The bill amends South Dakota's existing application procedures to make this request.

establish educational standards for the expanded practice of optometry.

This bill expands what optometrists in South Dakota are legally allowed to do by adding two new services: treating dry eye disease with intense pulsed light therapy, and removing superficial foreign objects from the eye. The bill also establishes educational requirements that optometrists must meet to perform these expanded services, though the specific requirements are detailed in a separate section of the bill.

permit an individual to change enrollment in a medicare supplement policy.

This bill allows people enrolled in Medicare supplement insurance to switch to a different Medicare supplement plan once per year during the 30 days after their birthday, as long as the new plan offers equal or fewer benefits than their current plan. Insurance companies cannot deny, price differently, or reduce coverage for someone making this switch based on their health status, medical history, or past claims.

create requirements for the disclosure of certain information relating to health care sharing arrangements.

This bill requires health care sharing ministries (faith-based nonprofits where members contribute to help pay each other's medical costs) to provide clearer information to participants, including monthly statements showing total needs submitted and amounts assigned for contribution, plus a written disclaimer on all application materials. The bill clarifies that these arrangements are not considered insurance under South Dakota law, but now imposes specific disclosure requirements to make sure participants understand how the system works.

modify standards for a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship required prior to the issuance of a medical cannabis certification.

SB 82 clarifies the requirements for doctors to establish a legitimate patient relationship before certifying someone for medical cannabis use in South Dakota. The bill specifies that at an initial visit, a practitioner must complete a medical history assessment and perform an in-person physical examination, and the patient must either be under the practitioner's ongoing care or have been referred by their regular doctor for a qualifying medical condition.

prohibit a practitioner from referring a patient to a medical cannabis clinic with which the practitioner or an immediate family member has a financial relationship and to provide a penalty therefor.

SB 11 prohibits doctors and other medical practitioners from referring patients to medical cannabis clinics in which the practitioner or their immediate family members have a financial stake or ownership interest. The bill establishes penalties for practitioners who violate this conflict-of-interest rule and repeals several outdated provisions from South Dakota's medical cannabis regulations.

include a medical marijuana card issued by a South Dakota tribe in the definition of nonresident cardholder.

SB 141 expands South Dakota's medical marijuana program to recognize cards issued by South Dakota tribes as valid nonresident cardholder credentials. This change allows Native American tribal members with tribal-issued medical marijuana cards to access the same protections and privileges as other nonresident cardholders under state law.

provide for the distribution of informational materials regarding palliative care.

SB 147 requires South Dakota to distribute informational materials about palliative care to patients and the public. The bill amends the state's healthcare facility definitions to clarify which types of facilities must provide or make available this information about comfort-focused medical care options.

modify provisions related to the control of counties and municipalities over medical marijuana establishments within their jurisdictions.

SB219 gives counties and municipalities more control over where medical marijuana businesses can operate within their jurisdictions by modifying state regulations. The bill amends existing medical marijuana laws and adds new provisions that allow local governments to set stricter rules or restrictions on these establishments in their areas.

further limit applications for clemency for violent crime offenders sentenced to life imprisonment.

# SB 9 Summary This bill makes it harder for people sentenced to life in prison for violent crimes to apply for clemency by eliminating or restricting their ability to request forgiveness from the governor. The changes remove several existing pathways for these offenders to seek clemency and tighten the rules around who can apply and when.

modify provisions pertaining to the voting rights of members of an Indian tribe.

# SB 186 Summary SB 186 modifies South Dakota's voting rights laws as they apply to members of Indian tribes, making changes to the rules governing tribal member voting eligibility and participation. The specific changes to state law section 21-16-7 involve updates to how tribal members' voting rights are defined and protected under state elections provisions.

address discriminatory acts against entities participating in a 340B drug pricing program.

HB 1147 adds protections for healthcare entities that participate in the federal 340B drug pricing program by prohibiting insurance administrators from discriminating against them or denying their licenses based solely on that participation. The bill amends South Dakota's insurance laws to ensure that participation in the 340B program—which allows certain hospitals and clinics to purchase drugs at discounted prices—cannot be used as grounds for license suspension, revocation, or denial by state insurance regulators.

require the dispensing of drugs prescribed for an off-label use during a public health emergency.

During a public health emergency, pharmacists must dispense drugs that doctors prescribe for uses not approved by the FDA (called "off-label" uses), even if state pharmacy rules normally wouldn't allow it. The bill also clarifies that schools can keep epinephrine auto-injectors on hand without following standard prescription requirements when used for severe allergic reactions.

make an appropriation for grants to assisted living centers and nursing facilities for costs related to telemedicine.

SB209 appropriates state funding to provide grants to assisted living centers and nursing facilities to help them pay for telemedicine equipment and services. The bill modifies existing law regarding healthcare facility funding and adds new provisions about how these telemedicine grants will be distributed and used.

modify provisions related to medical cannabis.

SB 42 modifies South Dakota's medical cannabis program by clarifying what patients can possess and grow, including up to three ounces of cannabis, a set amount of cannabis products, and for those with cultivation authorization, up to four plants and products made from their own plants. The bill updates the definition of a valid doctor-patient relationship for recommending medical cannabis and repeals several outdated provisions from the medical cannabis law.

improve technology equipment for providers of elderly care and to make an appropriation therefor.

South Dakota will provide $5 million in grants to nursing homes and other elderly care facilities that accept Medicaid to buy technology equipment that improves patient care and helps staff do their jobs better. Facilities must apply and explain what technology they plan to purchase and what benefits it will provide, and the Department of Human Services will evaluate applications before approving grants. The department must then report back to lawmakers on which facilities received money, how much they got, what equipment they bought, and how many patients benefited.

clarify determinations regarding the injection of a COVID-19 vaccine.

This bill establishes a right for South Dakota workers to decide whether or not to receive a COVID-19 vaccine after reviewing medical information, and prohibits employers from firing, demoting, or disciplining employees who choose not to be vaccinated. Instead of terminating an employee, employers may only reassign them to work remotely or at a different location if the job duties allow it. The law applies to both public and private sector workers statewide.

modernize the process for annual audits of third-party insurance administrators.

This bill updates South Dakota's rules for auditing third-party insurance administrators by allowing audits to be conducted virtually instead of requiring them to be performed in person. Insurers that use administrators handling more than 100 customers must still conduct at least two reviews per year, with at least one being a full audit, but that audit can now happen remotely rather than requiring an on-site visit.