Week 7 of the 2022 South Dakota Legislative session ended with crossover day taking place on Wednesday Feb. 22, which is the day all bills or joint resolutions must pass their house of origin.
Medical marijuana continues to take center stage, as lawmakers narrow down the measures that will make it to the Governor’s desk. Most of the recommendations brought by the healthcare industry have been accepted by lawmakers and amended into pending legislation.
Lawmakers considered two measures dealing with medical conscience. House Bill 1242 would allow for medical practice on the basis of conscience, which is very similar to a bill brought last year. Members of the House Health and Human Services Committee voted to send the measure to the 41st legislative day, on a vote of 7 to 4, which effectively kills the measure. House bill 1258 passed out of the House of Representatives on a 37-30 vote, it will protect an individuals conscience from employers or organizations requiring the COVID-10 vaccine. The bills next step is the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
Ivermectin took center stage in Pierre this past week in HB 1267. This measure would have allowed certain medical professionals to dispense ivermectin, and it failed to make it out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on a vote of 7-0. SDAHO’s CEO, Tim Rave, testified in opposition of the measure, to hear an excerpt of the testimony, click here.
With two weeks left in this year’s session, there are a few bills to watch:
- SB 43 will provide funding for the expansion and renovation of the health sciences center at the Black Hills State University Rapid City campus to help with nursing workforce needs.
- SB 53 will make an appropriation to increase workforce housing.
- HB 1129 will prohibit forms of discrimination in access to organ transplantation.
To stay on top of all the bills SDAHO is following, visit our Bill Tracker for the most up-to-date information.
