Healthcare

passed · South Dakota · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 1053: require that terminal care facilities allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis.

HB 1053 requires terminal care facilities (hospitals, inpatient hospice, or residential hospice) to permit terminally ill patients with a medical cannabis card to store and use medical cannabis within the facility. It mandates that patients provide their registry card and a physician's note documenting the need, while prohibiting smoking or vaping on-site. Facilities must establish policies for administration and storage but are not required to procure or administer cannabis. This applies only to patients with a terminal condition (life expectancy under one year) and excludes emergency departments. The bill does not override federal enforcement actions against facilities that comply with federal law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows terminally ill patients in healthcare facilities access to medical cannabis treatment, expanding patient access to approved medical options within care settings.92% confidence

Track

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1164: establish the crime of fraudulent assisted reproduction and provide a penalty and civil liability therefor.

HB 1164 makes it a Class 5 felony for licensed healthcare providers to use reproductive material (like sperm or eggs) without a patient’s written consent during assisted reproduction procedures (e.g., IVF). It directly affects healthcare providers, patients, donors, and children born from such procedures. The bill establishes civil liability, allowing patients, spouses, intended parents, children, or donors to sue for $10,000 in liquidated damages plus other costs and attorney fees. Lawsuits must be filed within five years of the child’s 18th birthday or when evidence (like DNA results) is discovered.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates consent for assisted reproduction procedures, protecting patient rights and establishing civil liability for healthcare providers in reproductive services.95% confidence

in committee · South Dakota · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 1150: make an appropriation to increase the rate of payment for federally qualified health centers.

HB 1150 provides $8 million in total funding ($4 million from the general fund and $4 million in federal fund expenditure authority) to the South Dakota Department of Social Services. This funding increases payment rates for federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in South Dakota, as defined by federal regulations (42 C.F.R. § 405.2401). The bill directly affects FQHCs by raising reimbursement rates for services they provide, improving their funding stability. The funding becomes effective June 30, 2026, and unspent amounts revert per standard state procedures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $8M (including $4M general fund) to increase FQHC reimbursement rates, directly funding essential public health services per appropriation language.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $8M to increase FQHC reimbursement rates, directly strengthening healthcare funding and provider stability per bill summary and subjects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Government Spending State Budget

Track

signed · South Dakota · House Jan 29, 2026

HB 1044: make an appropriation to implement the rural health transformation program, and to declare an emergency.

This bill appropriates $500 million in federal funds to the South Dakota Department of Health to implement the rural health transformation program, authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Pub. L. No. 119-21). It directly affects rural healthcare providers and facilities by funding program implementation. Key provisions include requiring the health secretary to approve vouchers for payments and mandating unspent funds by June 30, 2031, to revert per state law. The bill also declares an emergency to expedite its implementation upon passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $500M federal funds for rural health program, directly funding essential healthcare services through state budget mechanisms per bill's core purpose.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates $500M in federal funds to implement rural health transformation program, directly funding healthcare services for rural providers per health care subject and appropriation provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1148: adopt the respiratory care interstate compact.

HB 1148 adopts the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, allowing respiratory therapists licensed in South Dakota to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The bill also requires respiratory care practitioners to undergo a criminal background check and submit fingerprints as part of their South Dakota licensure application. This compact aims to increase access to respiratory therapy services, support military families by easing relocation for therapists, and address workforce shortages through streamlined interstate practice. It preserves each state’s authority to regulate licensure and protect public health while creating a standardized process for therapists moving across state lines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases access to respiratory therapy services by enabling cross-state practice under the interstate compact, directly improving patient access to healthcare professionals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Public Health

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 145: revise the limitations on a municipality's power to take actions for the promotion of health or the suppression of disease.

This bill (SB 145) amends South Dakota law to clarify and expand municipalities' authority to take actions promoting health or suppressing disease. It removes specific restrictions that previously limited municipal power, such as prohibitions against actions that might interfere with religious freedom, free speech, assembly, or Second Amendment rights. Municipalities can now enact health-related ordinances or resolutions without needing to avoid these specific constitutional considerations. The change directly affects all South Dakota cities and towns when creating local health or disease prevention policies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands municipal authority to enact health ordinances without constitutional barriers, directly advancing public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

died · South Dakota · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1145: clarify provisions related to the licensure of certified social workers in private, independent practice and establish an alternative to the licensure examination.

HB 1145 clarifies licensing requirements for certified social workers practicing privately in South Dakota and creates an experience-based alternative to the standard licensure exam. It allows individuals who failed the exam on or after January 1, 2021, to qualify by providing 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience instead of passing the exam. This experience must occur after obtaining initial certification, be supervised by a qualified social worker or approved mental health professional, and be completed within ten years of applying. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and applies directly to social workers seeking private practice licensure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates alternative licensure pathway for social workers, increasing access to mental health services by reducing exam barriers for qualified practitioners.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Mental Health

Track

died · South Dakota · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 1144: restrict the use of artificial intelligence in therapy and psychotherapy services and to provide a penalty therefor.

HB 1144 would restrict how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in therapy and psychotherapy services in South Dakota. Licensed therapists (including psychologists, social workers, counselors, and marriage and family therapists) would be prohibited from using AI to make treatment decisions, interact directly with clients during sessions, generate treatment plans without review, or detect emotions - except for specific administrative tasks like scheduling, billing, or anonymized data analysis. The bill requires written client consent for AI recording of sessions, with strict rules against obtaining consent through vague agreements or deceptive tactics. Violations could result in civil penalties of up to $10,000 per incident, with therapists retaining full responsibility for all AI-assisted interactions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestricts AI in therapy to maintain human oversight, protecting patient care in mental health services per bill's intent.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly prohibits AI use in therapy decisions, client interactions, and treatment planning, directly restricting technology application in healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

Track

passed · South Dakota · House Jan 29, 2026

HB 1085: establish provisions for the coverage of nonopioid prescription drugs.

HB 1085 requires South Dakota health insurers to cover nonopioid prescription drugs for pain treatment when prescribed by a doctor, without denying coverage in favor of opioids. Insurers cannot impose stricter approval steps (like prior authorization) or higher cost-sharing tiers for nonopioid drugs compared to opioids or narcotics. This directly affects patients seeking pain management and insurers operating in South Dakota, ensuring equal coverage treatment for nonopioid options when clinically appropriate. The law applies to all health insurance policies sold or renewed in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal insurance coverage for nonopioid pain drugs vs opioids, removing barriers to patient access and promoting safer pain management options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

Track

signed · South Dakota · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 1043: make an appropriation to reimburse health care professionals who have complied with the requirements for rural recruitment assistance programs, and to declare an emergency.

HB 1043 allocates $978,294 to reimburse 12 specific rural healthcare professionals (4 family physicians, 2 physician assistants, and 6 nurse practitioners) who met requirements under §34-12G-3 for rural recruitment programs. It also allocates $370,000 to reimburse other eligible healthcare professionals meeting requirements under §34-12G-12. The funds come from the state general fund and are intended to cover costs incurred by providers who participated in designated rural recruitment initiatives. The bill declares an emergency to expedite funding, with unspent funds reverting per standard procedures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.35M from state general fund to reimburse rural healthcare providers, directly funding a public health program through budget appropriation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $978,294 + $370,000 to reimburse rural healthcare providers for recruitment program costs, directly funding access to underserved areas per §34-12G-3/12.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Healthcare Workforce