Healthcare

introduced · South Dakota · House Mar 4, 2026

HC 8026: recognizing the nonprofit Oaye Luta Okolakiciye "Moving Forward in a Sacred Way."

This bill is a legislative commemoration that formally recognizes the nonprofit organization Oaye Luta Okolakiciye, known as "Moving Forward in a Sacred Way." The resolution acknowledges the organization's work in providing trauma-informed care to Lakota communities in South Dakota by integrating Lakota spirituality, language, and kinship systems into behavioral health services. It highlights the group's volunteer-driven approach to supporting families and promoting cultural continuity on reservations and in surrounding areas. The bill does not change laws or allocate funding but serves to honor the organization's contributions to Lakota wellness and community stability.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill recognizes nonprofit providing trauma-informed behavioral health services integrating Lakota culture, supporting mental health access and cultural continuity in healthcare.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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introduced · South Dakota · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SC 820: honoring Dr. Margaret Becker as the recipient of the 2025 Copic Humanitarian Award.

This bill honors Dr. Margaret Becker by formally recognizing her as the recipient of the 2025 Copic Humanitarian Award. It acknowledges her work as a physician at Monument Health Spearfish Clinic and her eight-year role as medical director of the Good Shepherd Free Clinic, where she has provided care to patients who might otherwise lack access to medical attention. The legislation designates the Good Shepherd Free Clinic as the recipient of the $10,000 donation associated with the award, which Dr. Becker chose to direct toward her clinic. This commemorative resolution celebrates her volunteer medical services and contributions to improving lives in western South Dakota.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill honors a physician and directs $10,000 to a free clinic, supporting healthcare access and recognizing medical professionals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 211: prohibit certain billing practices by ambulance service providers and establish reimbursement standards for out-of-network emergency medical services.

SB 211 prohibits ambulance providers from billing patients for out-of-network emergency services beyond required coinsurance, copayments, or deductibles. It requires health insurance plans to reimburse out-of-network ambulance providers at local rates (or 325% of Medicare rates if no local rate exists) within 30 days, and mandates clear billing explanations for patients. The law also establishes a complaint process through the Division of Insurance for violations and requires the division to post reimbursement rates online by 2027. It excludes self-funded employer plans, Medicaid, Medicare, and other federally regulated programs from these rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits excessive patient billing for ambulance services, mandates timely insurance reimbursement, and requires clear billing explanations, protecting patient rights and improving emergency care access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Mental Health Tags Public Safety

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signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1292: limit the ability of a health carrier to recoup, recover, or retroactively deny previously paid claims.

HB 1292 limits South Dakota health insurance companies' ability to take back payments they've already made for medical services. It requires insurers to provide written notice at least 30 days in advance if they seek to recoup a payment, and restricts such actions to claims paid within the previous 18 months (with exceptions for fraud, Medicare/Medicaid, workers' compensation, or duplicate payments). The bill establishes a dispute resolution process through the Division of Insurance for disagreements, preventing insurers from withholding future payments during the review. This directly affects healthcare providers (like doctors and clinics) who receive payments from insurers and the insurers themselves, applying to claims for services provided on or after July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patients from insurers retroactively denying paid claims by requiring notice and limiting recoupment to 18 months, strengthening patient rights in healthcare insurance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Medicare

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1299: permit the use of biological filtration systems in water recreational facilities located in certain lodging establishments.

HB 1299 allows small lodging establishments (with 15 or fewer sleeping rooms) to apply for a permit to use biological filtration systems in their water recreational facilities, such as pools or spas. These systems filter water naturally using plants, beneficial bacteria, and microbes - without relying on continuous chemical disinfectants - to meet public health and safety standards. To obtain a permit, establishments must submit proof the system meets water quality requirements, pay a $50 fee, and undergo annual department inspections. If an inspection fails, the permit is revoked, and reapplication is barred for one year. The bill requires the department to establish rules for applications, maintenance, and testing procedures.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReduces chemical disinfectant use in water facilities, lowering pollution from synthetic chemicals while meeting public health standards.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures water quality meets public health standards via natural filtration, supporting public health safety in recreational facilities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality Public Health

passed · South Dakota · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 1279: permit technical college employees to join the state health plan.

HB 1279 permits technical college employees in South Dakota to join the state health plan, directly affecting permanent staff working 20+ hours weekly at least six months yearly. The bill requires the technical college’s local education agency (LEA) to pay equivalent monthly contributions instead of the state, and removes previous restrictions preventing these employees from enrolling. Key provisions include defining "technical college employee" and ensuring LEAs cover the same cost as the state does for other plan-eligible employees. The law takes effect July 1, 2027, and applies only to technical college staff, not other state workers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands health coverage by allowing technical college employees to join state health plan, removing prior enrollment restrictions for eligible staff.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves enrollment restrictions for technical college employees to join state health plan, expanding access to employer-provided benefits and aligning with worker benefit expansion indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 233: prohibit the assessment of certain administrative fees or penalties related to the provision of care by an out-of-network provider.

SB 233 prohibits health insurance carriers from charging administrative fees or penalties to healthcare providers for care involving out-of-network providers. This directly affects health care providers who treat patients using out-of-network services and health carriers that typically impose such fees. The bill’s key provision bans carriers from assessing these fees for any care provided by a provider not contracted with the carrier (defined as "out-of-network"). It creates a clear policy change requiring carriers to cover such care without additional administrative costs to providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurance carriers from charging administrative fees to out-of-network providers, protecting patient access to care and reducing financial barriers for providers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · South Dakota · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1255: require that the Department of Health accept the medical records of a veteran applying for a medical cannabis registry identification card.

HB 1255 requires South Dakota's Department of Health to accept medical records from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) when veterans apply for a medical cannabis registry ID card. Veterans must submit VA records (within three years) showing a debilitating condition, along with proof of an honorable military discharge, to qualify under this provision. This eliminates the need for veterans to obtain a new certification from a South Dakota healthcare provider for the card application. The bill applies specifically to veterans meeting these documentation requirements, streamlining access to medical cannabis registry cards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates need for new SD provider certification, improving veteran access to medical cannabis healthcare services under existing VA records.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEliminates need for veterans to obtain new certifications from SD providers by accepting VA medical records, improving healthcare access for veterans with debilitating conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare

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passed · South Dakota · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1276: establish policies and procedures for the use of solitary confinement in a juvenile facility.

HB 1276 establishes strict rules for using solitary confinement in South Dakota's juvenile facilities. It prohibits solitary confinement for discipline, punishment, or convenience - allowing it only when a juvenile poses an immediate risk of physical harm to self or others. The bill requires facilities to first try less restrictive methods, get approval from a facility leader, and form an interdisciplinary team (including mental health staff and administrators) to review cases within 24 hours and reassess weekly if confinement lasts more than seven days. Facilities must document all cases, provide continuous monitoring (every 15 minutes in-person), ensure access to basic needs like medical care and education, and notify parents within one business day. This applies directly to all juveniles held in state-operated juvenile facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts juvenile solitary confinement except for immediate harm, requiring less restrictive alternatives and interdisciplinary reviews - aligning with reform goals to protect minors and reduce harm in juvenile justice systems.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires mental health staff in interdisciplinary teams for solitary confinement reviews, directly supporting mental health services in juvenile facilities per bill's requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice Mental Health

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passed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 220: authorize a comprehensive study of juvenile correctional and residential facilities, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.

SB 220 directs South Dakota's Department of Corrections to conduct a study evaluating juvenile correctional and residential facilities. The study must examine best practices, therapeutic housing models, vocational training combined with mental health services, and staff-to-youth ratios, including inspections at three facilities outside South Dakota. The bill appropriates $50,000 from the general fund to cover study costs and requires a written report to the Legislative Research Council by September 1, 2026. This is a procedural study bill with no direct policy changes or new requirements for facilities, solely aimed at gathering information for future decisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $50,000 from general fund for juvenile facility study, directly funding a state budget item per its 'Appropriation' subject.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds study to evaluate juvenile facilities, therapeutic models, and mental health services - directly advancing rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform in juvenile system.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates study of mental health services integration in juvenile facilities, directly aligning with healthcare support indicators for mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Corrections Juvenile Justice Mental Health

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