Rep. Kathy Rice

Maddy summaryHB 1127 revises South Dakota's regulations for birth centers and certified professional midwives. It requires birth centers to obtain a license from the Department of Health (with a $500 fee), mandates risk assessments to confirm low-risk pregnancies before admission, and requires written care plans addressing each client's medical and emotional needs. The bill also mandates that a practitioner or registered nurse be on-site during active labor and repeals the previous requirement that birth centers be within 30 minutes of a hospital. These changes directly affect birth centers, certified midwives, and patients seeking care at these facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 1212 repeals a provision that previously shielded women from criminal liability for unlawful abortions. It removes the exception that prevented homicide charges when an abortion caused an unborn child's death, making such cases subject to standard homicide laws (Class B felony). The bill directly affects women seeking abortions and medical providers performing them, as it eliminates prior legal protections for abortion-related deaths. Exceptions for lifesaving procedures to preserve the mother's life or spontaneous miscarriages remain unchanged.

Maddy summaryHB 1128 exempts vehicles owned by South Dakota residents who previously paid motor vehicle excise tax in the state and later moved away. It specifically applies to individuals who return to South Dakota and can prove prior tax payment through department records or other acceptable documentation. The bill amends South Dakota law to add this scenario as a new exemption category under motor vehicle tax rules. It does not apply to active-duty military personnel or nonresidents generally, as the bill focuses solely on returning former residents with documented prior tax payments. The change simplifies tax obligations for this specific group when they repurchase or return to owning a vehicle in South Dakota.

Maddy summaryHB 1124 makes it a felony to enter or remain within 1,000 feet of a place of worship with intent to disrupt services, harass attendees, or intimidate through political means. Violators face a Class 5 felony charge. The bill defines "place of worship" as any building regularly used for religious activities, identifiable by design, signs, or features. This law directly affects individuals who intentionally trespass near religious sites with the prohibited intentions.

Maddy summarySB 143 requires South Dakota's Department of Health to submit an annual report to the legislature by March 1 each year, focusing on public health impacts of cannabis use. The report must include specific data like medical cannabis program expenses/revenues, cannabis-related poisonings, drug-related deaths with cannabis metabolites detected, hospitalizations, licensing violations, and patient demographics. It directly affects the Department of Health (as the reporting entity) and the legislature (as the recipient of the data). The bill mandates concrete data collection on public health outcomes without changing cannabis laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution honoring seven South Dakota school administrators for their service. It commends Dr. Jeff Danielsen (Watertown Superintendent), Bo Beck (Aberdeen Middle School Principal), Connie Alspach (Dupree School Business Official), Jay Swatek (Tea Elementary Principal), Kelly Messmer (Harding County Secondary Principal), Sherri Nelson (Brandon Valley Curriculum Leader), and Monica Waltman (Douglas Director of Special Education). The resolution recognizes their combined 197 years of service and dedication to education. It does not create new laws or policies - it solely provides formal recognition through a legislative commendation.

Maddy summaryHB 1094 (South Dakota House Bill 1094) clarifies that consent for organ donation does not automatically cover the donation of ovum (eggs) or sperm. The bill requires individuals to give explicit, separate consent specifically for ovum or sperm donation - distinct from organ donation consent. This directly affects potential donors and medical facilities handling reproductive tissue donations. The key provision amends state law to ensure clear, affirmative permission is obtained for gamete donation before any retrieval occurs.

Maddy summaryHB 1181 prohibits the injection, release, or dispersal of specific chemicals (including aluminum barium, strontium, sulfur dioxide, and other substances known to cause health issues) into the atmosphere for weather or climate modification. It directly affects individuals and businesses engaging in such activities, imposing a minimum $100,000 civil penalty plus $10,000 per day for ongoing violations. The bill creates a monitoring fund to cover enforcement costs (funded by fines), requires airports to report on aircraft equipped for such dispersal, and establishes an online public reporting system for suspected violations. Key mechanisms include mandatory airport reporting, public submission of details (e.g., chemicals used), and departmental rules for investigations and compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 1129 allows certain school district employees to carry concealed firearms on school grounds under specific conditions. It amends South Dakota law to create an exception for employees who are 21 or older, hold an enhanced concealed carry permit (per Chapter 23-7), and have written permission from the school principal. These employees must also notify the local law enforcement agency about their intent to carry, with notifications valid until June 30 annually. The bill explicitly states school districts are not liable for damages resulting from such employees using firearms. This policy change directly affects eligible school staff members seeking to carry concealed weapons within school buildings, grounds, or vehicles.

Maddy summarySB 59 requires South Dakota state agencies to use "Judea and Samaria," "Judea," or "Samaria" instead of "West Bank" when referring to land adjacent to Jordan acquired by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War. This applies to all official written materials produced by state agencies, including press releases, administrative rules, and guidance documents. The bill explicitly prohibits using "West Bank" in these materials but excludes teaching and research materials created by state university instructors. The law aims to standardize geographic terminology in state communications regarding this specific region.