Rep. Nicole Uhre-Balk

Maddy summaryHB 1099 would reclassify FDA-approved psilocybin medications from Schedule I to Schedule IV under South Dakota law. This change would allow medical providers to prescribe these specific pharmaceutical products without the strict restrictions currently applied to Schedule I substances. The bill specifically affects only psilocybin in drug products approved by the FDA, not raw psilocybin or unapproved formulations. This amendment aligns South Dakota's scheduling with federal approval status for medical use.

Maddy summaryHB 1101 prohibits insurers from denying or limiting life, disability, or long-term care insurance coverage solely because someone is a living organ donor. It specifically bans insurers from: (1) refusing coverage based on donor status, (2) requiring donors to stop donating to maintain coverage, or (3) charging higher premiums or imposing other restrictions due to donor status alone. The bill ensures that living organ donors cannot face insurance discrimination without evidence of actual increased health risk. This directly protects individuals who donate organs while alive from unfair treatment by insurance companies.

Maddy summaryHB 1219 requires South Dakota state agencies to provide free interpreter or translator services for non-English-speaking parties during administrative hearings (like license disputes or benefit appeals). The bill mandates agencies to appoint qualified, impartial interpreters and cover their costs from agency budgets. It also allows winning parties to recover interpreter fees incurred during the hearing. This directly affects individuals or businesses needing language assistance in agency proceedings. The law updates existing rules to ensure all parties can fully participate in administrative cases.

Maddy summaryHB 1143 allows students with diabetes to possess and self-administer nasal glucagon (a medication for severe low blood sugar) on school property or at school events. It directly affects students diagnosed with diabetes who require this specific treatment. The bill requires a licensed healthcare provider’s diagnosis, written parent authorization, and a physician’s statement detailing the medication’s purpose, dosage, and administration guidelines to be kept on file at the school. Schools must maintain these documents in the student’s health record or with the school nurse. This change expands existing provisions for asthma and anaphylaxis medications to include nasal glucagon for diabetes management.

Maddy summarySouth Dakota would join the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact, allowing physician assistants (PAs) licensed in other participating states to practice in South Dakota without obtaining a separate state license. This directly affects PAs - especially active-duty military personnel and their spouses - who can use their existing license from another participating state to practice in South Dakota. The key mechanism is the "Compact Privilege," which permits PAs to provide medical services where the patient is located, while maintaining patient safety through existing state licensing board oversight. This reduces licensing barriers for PAs and improves access to medical care across state lines.

Maddy summarySouth Dakota's SB 87 ensures counties cover the full cost of forensic medical examinations for victims of sexual assault or rape, eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for victims. The bill specifies covered costs include physician services, necessary tests (like STD screenings and pregnancy tests), supplies, and medications, with payments capped at Medicaid rates. It allows minors aged 16+ to consent to exams without parental permission and permits exams for protected persons without guardian consent, provided informed consent is obtained. Hospitals and clinics cannot bill victims beyond these Medicaid-based limits, and must notify victims of their no-cost access regardless of cooperation with law enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 1119 modifies governance rules for farm mutual insurers in South Dakota by increasing the maximum number of board directors from 11 to 15 and clarifying eligibility requirements. The bill requires that directors must be members of the insurer or one of its affiliates (defined as entities controlling or controlled by the insurer). This directly affects the board composition of all South Dakota farm mutual insurers operating under these rules. The key change streamlines board size limits while ensuring directors have a direct connection to the insurer through membership or affiliation.

Maddy summaryHB 1111 modifies South Dakota's rules for agricultural processors (like those who thresh, shell, or process crops) seeking liens on the grain, silage, or other products they handle. It requires processors to provide detailed written accounts of services, file financing statements electronically within 30 days of processing completion, and notify buyers if liens exist before crop sales. The bill clarifies lien priority over other claims and mandates enforcement actions within 30 days of filing, or the lien expires. This directly affects processors seeking payment and farmers selling processed crops.

Maddy summaryHB 1104 revises application requirements for South Dakota's special license plates and parking permits for people with disabilities. It specifies that certification for these benefits must come from licensed physicians, physician assistants, chiropractors, physical therapists, or certified nurse practitioners (all licensed under Title 36), stating the applicant has a "substantial physical disability" that makes walking impossible or causes substantial hardship. The bill clarifies that applications for both license plates and portable parking permits must be submitted through county treasurers, with no fee charged for the plates. It also includes penalties for fraud (Class 1 misdemeanor) or failure to surrender permits when no longer needed (Class 2 misdemeanor).

Maddy summaryHB 1035 clarifies definitions for public accountant licensure in South Dakota by amending Section 36-20B-1 of the state code. The bill updates terms like "Owner" (to include nonlicensees in CPA firms), "Peer review," and "Principal place of business" to better reflect current practice standards. It directly affects licensed public accountants, CPA firms, and the South Dakota Board of Accountancy by standardizing terminology used in licensing rules. This is a procedural amendment focused solely on definition clarity, not new requirements or fees.