New laws go into effect in South Dakota Friday

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release)-  Friday, July 1st starts the the FY2023.  There are 247 new laws that goes into effect.  Here’s comments from Governor Noem on some of those laws.

SB 46, which protects fairness in girls’ and women’s sports, takes effect. In preparation for the law taking effect, Governor Kristi Noem signed Executive Order 2022-07, which repeals her previous executive orders on the subject.

“South Dakota is defending basic fairness for our girls so that they can have an opportunity to compete and achieve,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “As our nation passes the 50th anniversary of Title IX, we must remember that this law exists to give biological girls equal opportunity. South Dakota will always stand up for our kids.”

Governor Noem signed SB 46 into law in February. It was the first bill that she signed into law in the 2022 legislative session, and it has been heralded as the “toughest law in the nation” to protect girls’ sports.

Executive Order 2022-07 repeals both Executive Orders 2021-05 and 2021-06, which protected girls’ sports in South Dakota until stronger legislation could become law.

SB 212, which eliminates all concealed carry permitting fees in South Dakota, becomes law.

“It will not cost you a penny to exercise your 2nd Amendment rights in South Dakota. We are even paying for your federal background checks,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “In South Dakota, we will always defend the rights of law-abiding gun owners to keep and bear arms to protect themselves and their loved-ones.”

With this legislation, South Dakota becomes the first state in America to eliminate fees for its concealed carry permitting system. The only other state without fees – Vermont – does not operate a concealed carry permitting system.

HB 1012, which protects college students and faculty from mandatory Critical Race Theory trainings and orientations, takes effect.

“College should be a place where freedom of thought and expression are encouraged – not stifled by indoctrination and political agendas,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “Critical Race Theory should not be forced on our students, and this legislation will prevent that from happening.”

Since signing the bill, Governor Noem also signed Executive Order 2022-02, which restricts Critical Race Theory at the K-12 level.

the statewide expansion of Governor Kristi Noem’s Bright Start program will take effect. Bright Start provides nursing services and more for eligible moms through pregnancy until their child’s 2nd birthday.

“Bright Start helps us to take care of both moms and their babies both before birth and after,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “South Dakota will continue exploring more ways to walk alongside pregnant moms and help them through whatever situation they may face.”

Due to ongoing funding in Governor Noem’s budget, Bright Start will now be available statewide. Previously, the program had been available in Spearfish, Belle Fouche, Rapid City, Pine Ridge, Huron, Aberdeen, and Sisseton.

You can learn more about Bright Start here.

HB 1318, which bans telemedicine abortions in South Dakota, becomes law. In preparation for the law taking effect, Governor Kristi Noem signed Executive Order 2022-07, which repeals her previous executive order on the subject.

“South Dakota is focused on helping moms who may be facing a crisis pregnancy situation. Those moms should know that telemedicine abortions are not safe for their health – they are four times more likely to cause the woman getting the abortion to end up in the emergency room,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “This law will have no effect on treatment for miscarriages, but doctors who knowingly break the law and prescribe these medications to end a human life will be prosecuted.”

Following the United States Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, South Dakota’s trigger law made all abortions illegal in South Dakota, unless they are performed to preserve the life of the mother.

Research demonstrates that chemical abortions are four times as likely to cause the woman receiving the abortion to end up in the emergency room following the procedure.

Executive Order 2022-07 repeals Executive Order 2021-12, which banned telemedicine abortions in South Dakota.