Sen. Lauren Nelson

Maddy summaryThis bill requires South Dakota public schools to teach prenatal human growth and development in health or science classes using specific materials. It mandates that schools use resources recommended by the state Board of Education, including at least three minutes of high-definition ultrasound videos showing organ development or computer-generated animations of prenatal growth from fertilization to birth. The law prohibits using any materials from entities that perform, promote, or refer to abortion services. This directly affects K-12 public school curricula in South Dakota, altering required health/science content.

Maddy summarySB 219 requires South Dakota state agencies to consult the Aeronautics Commission before purchasing, selling, or moving any state-owned aircraft, including drones and unmanned aircraft systems. The bill mandates that the Commission provide written advice to both the agency and the Governor on these transactions. This applies to all state agencies and institutions handling aircraft, adding a formal review step to such decisions.

Maddy summarySB 15 creates the Developmental Disability Services Oversight Committee to examine and monitor South Dakota's Medicaid waiver programs providing home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The committee, composed of nine legislative members including committee chairs and appointed representatives, will review program operations, hear testimony from the Department of Human Services, and gather feedback from affected individuals, families, and service providers. It must annually report findings and recommendations to the Legislative Research Council by November 1 to improve service efficiency and operations. This bill directly affects individuals receiving waiver services, their families, community support providers, and the Department of Human Services. The committee's role is strictly advisory and oversight-focused, not policy-making.

Maddy summarySB 131 clarifies the timing for nonprofit-hosted pheasant hunts benefiting disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients. It revises the law to specify these hunts may occur "before or during the regular pheasant season" (removing confusing prior language about the "private shooting preserve season"). The bill directly affects nonprofit organizations hosting these events and the disabled veterans/Purple Heart recipients participating. Key provisions maintain that no fees may be charged to participants and require the Game, Fish and Parks Commission to create rules for administering these hunts. The bill does not change eligibility criteria for participants or alter the no-fee requirement.

Maddy summarySB 132 amends South Dakota law (§ 1-46A-5) to clarify the composition and consultation process of the South Dakota Veterans Council. The bill specifies that the Council must include one representative each from eight designated veterans organizations, such as the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and Veterans of Foreign Wars, plus a representative from Vietnam Veterans of America chapters 1054 and 959. It requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to consult with the Council quarterly on veteran-related matters and mandates the Council provide recommendations on budgets, legislation, policies, and programs affecting veterans and their dependents. This bill directly affects the Council's membership structure and its formal role in advising state veterans' affairs.

Maddy summarySB 107 amends South Dakota law to explicitly include licensed and registered child care programs within the definition of "community safety zone." This means the 500-foot buffer zone around such facilities - including day care centers, group family day care homes, and registered family day care - will now be covered by the same restrictions on sex offender residence as schools, shelters, and public parks. The bill clarifies that all licensed and registered child care programs are explicitly included under existing definitions without adding new facilities to the list. This change directly affects sex offenders required to register under South Dakota law, as they are barred from residing within these zones without specific exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 1077 classifies cultivated-protein food products (lab-grown meat alternatives made from animal cells grown in vitro) as "adulterated food" under South Dakota's existing food safety laws. This bill directly affects producers and sellers of these products by automatically subjecting them to current adulteration penalties without requiring new safety standards. The key provision adds a specific definition in Section 39-4-2(8), stating such products are deemed adulterated regardless of their safety or labeling. The law does not create new regulations but applies existing food safety definitions to this emerging food category. This change would require cultivated-protein producers to comply with all current adulteration enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summarySB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 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.