HB 1199 is a definitional bill that clarifies terms related to health insurance preauthorization and utilization reviews. It adds specific definitions (like "adverse determination," "ambulatory review," and "authorized representative") to South Dakota law governing health benefit plans. The bill does not create new requirements or change current preauthorization rules - it only establishes clearer language for how these processes are described in law. This affects health insurers, providers, and patients by standardizing terminology used in coverage decisions. The bill has no substantive policy changes beyond these definitions.
HB 1194 requires South Dakota's Cosmetology Commission to allow out-of-state cosmetology, nail technology, and esthetics license applicants to count relevant work experience toward their education hour requirements. Specifically, the bill mandates that two hours of work experience equals one hour of required education, but only for experience gained after the applicant's initial license, and work experience cannot cover more than half the total education hours needed. Applicants must provide documentation of their work history, and the commission may require a safety course if the experience is over five years old or deny a license if competence is in question. This change directly affects individuals seeking to transfer licenses from other states or countries who have practical experience but lack full in-state education hours.
Senate Bill 171 amends South Dakota election laws to change how absentee ballots are processed and declares an emergency. It requires election officials to keep absentee ballots sealed until verified by comparing envelope statements without opening them, and mandates that counties create a dedicated absentee ballot precinct for counting all absentee ballots (except when a regular precinct has ten or fewer absentee ballots, which are counted at the polling place). The bill establishes the absentee ballot counting board as the entity responsible for processing and counting all absentee ballots countywide, replacing previous handling methods. This directly affects election officials and the absentee voting process for South Dakota voters.
This bill requires individuals registering to vote in South Dakota to provide proof of U.S. citizenship as part of their voter registration process. It directly affects all current and prospective voters by mandating the submission of specific documents such as a state-issued ID with citizenship verification, a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate. The legislation also establishes a "federal voter" designation for people who use only P.O. box addresses without a physical residence description, limiting their ballot access to federal elections only. Additionally, the bill sets a July 1, 2026 deadline for existing voters to re-submit citizenship documentation when changing counties within the state.
SB 42 increases penalties for possessing, delivering, or ingesting controlled substances within South Dakota state correctional facilities. It changes inmate possession of controlled substances from a Class 3 to a Class 4 felony, delivery to inmates from a Class 4 to a Class 3 felony, and ingestion by inmates from a Class 6 to a Class 5 felony. These changes directly affect inmates, staff, and visitors who bring or use controlled substances in prisons. The bill strengthens criminal penalties for drug-related activities in correctional settings without altering treatment programs.
HB 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.
HB 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.
SB 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.
HB 1108 allows courts to immediately seal court files when protection order petitions are dismissed, either initially or after a hearing. This applies directly to individuals whose protection order cases (covered under South Dakota statutes §22-19A-8 and §25-10-3) are dismissed by a judge. The key provision requires courts to grant sealing of the entire court file upon dismissal, rather than requiring additional steps or waiting periods. This change provides a streamlined process for removing sensitive court records from public view in dismissed cases. The bill affects anyone involved in a dismissed protection order case, focusing on expediting privacy protections.
HB 1140 allows South Dakota courts to require defendants on probation or parole to complete treatment at nonprofit organizations that have received state grants for "alternative care programs," specifically for individuals convicted of repeat DUI/DWI offenses. The bill adds this option as a condition of probation (under § 23A-27-18.3), requiring the defendant’s consent, program availability, and pre-sentencing application approval. It directly affects individuals convicted of third or fourth DUI/DWI offenses who are on probation or parole, offering an alternative to jail time through treatment. The law modifies driver’s license revocation rules (§ 32-23-4 and 32-23-4.6), allowing courts to permit limited driving (e.g., for work or treatment) upon successful completion of such programs. This creates a concrete pathway for court-mandated treatment instead of incarceration for eligible offenders.
SB 135 requires data center operators to pay all electricity costs associated with their facilities, preventing utilities from raising residential rates to cover these expenses (Section 3). It also prohibits tax exemptions for data centers (Section 5) and ensures local governments retain authority to regulate data center development (Section 4). The bill mandates data centers to report projected water usage to local providers and the Board of Water Management before operation, with annual reports on actual consumption (Sections 6-7), ensuring water allocation prioritizes residential and essential services. This directly affects data center operators, utilities, and South Dakota residents by limiting cost-shifting and protecting local resource management.
HB 1183 revises South Dakota's law granting immunity from prosecution for drug possession charges after an overdose. It directly affects individuals experiencing a drug-related overdose who contact emergency services for medical help. The key change specifies that immunity only applies if the evidence used for any charges stems from the overdose event itself and the need for medical assistance. This clarifies eligibility for the existing immunity provision, requiring that the evidence leading to prosecution originated during the overdose situation. The bill does not expand immunity but refines the conditions under which it applies.
