PIERRE, S.D.(SDBA) — A bipartisan effort intended to make South Dakota’s near total ban on abortions easier to understand will be created later this year.
That’s after the South Dakota State Senate overwhelmingly voted to advance House Bill 1224, which compels the Department of Health to create an informational video and “other materials” on the state’s existing abortion laws.
The bill specifies that the video, which must be released to the public by September 1st, should include information about what constitutes an abortion, the most common medical conditions that threaten the health or life of a woman, and how a doctor may determine when to terminate a pregnancy based on concerns about the health of a mother. The health department will rely on the Attorney General’s office to provide clarity in describing the state’s regulations.
Senate prime sponsor Erin Tobin said that the video and other materials produced as a result of the bill when it becomes law will help to “combat misinformation.”
“It is intended for use in policy and procedure reviews and employee education in the healthcare sector,” said Tobin. “This video will also be accessible to the public online to enhance understanding of South Dakota’s laws, and their implications for families.”
The video’s creation will come just over two months before voters in the state are likely to decide on a measure that would make abortion substantially more accessible in the November general election.
The narrow separation in time between voters weighing in on South Dakota’s abortion laws and the creation of the video could lead to a potential violation of the law, argued Senate Minority Leader Reynold Nesiba. He cited existing law that prohibits state funds from being used to influence elections.
“I think we are going to get sued if we pass this bill,” Nesiba said.
His argument fell on deaf ears — only two other Senators joined him in voting against the measure. Across 103 lawmakers, the bill only got nine “no” votes, and picked up several Democratic supporters along the way.
It heads now to Gov. Kristi Noem’s desk — her office testified in favor of the effort during its committee appearances.
Anti-abortion advocacy groups celebrated the bills passage Thursday afternoon.
“South Dakota is showing the rest of the nation how to protect women’s lives from the misinformation surrounding abortion laws,” said Kelsey Pritchard, state public affairs director for Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. “This bipartisan bill is uncontroversial, and a policy that pro-choice and pro-life Americans alike should support. We should all be supportive of making it abundantly clear that pregnant women can and must receive emergency care.”