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This past Thursday wrapped up week 3 of the 2023 Legislative session. As anticipated, committee hearings and floor debates are beginning to pick up. So far, SDAHO is actively tracking over 70 pieces of legislation. To take a closer look at all of the bills SDAHO is following, visit the Bill TrackerĀ on the SDAHOĀ advocacy page.
Mental health is once again a topic this session, with SDAHO supporting several measures.
- HCR 6002 Ā encourages the Executive Board of the Legislature to continue researching childhood mental health and mental health services available to children in our state.
- HB 1079Ā Ā Ā will make an appropriation to the Department of Health to provide grants to support mental health and suicide prevention programs. There is an emergency clause on the bill, which means it will go into effect immediately, if signed by the Governor, rather than waiting until the normal July 1st implementation date.
- Ā SB 7, clarifies emergency commitments of severely mentally ill persons by appropriate regional facilities.
All three bills had public hearings this past week passed unanimously, which pushes them to the House / Senate floor for further consideration.
Workforce is also taking center stage this session, with several bills providing education relief through scholarships and funding. SDAHO continues to support efforts that assist our members with workforce recruitment and retention opportunities.
- HB 1044Ā will provide scholarship funds for individualās entering the behavioral Health field.
- HB 1055Ā which will increase the dollar amount for the opportunity scholarship
- HB 1039Ā will help members of the South Dakota National Guard with tuition costs.
All three bills are successfully working their way through the legislative process.
To learn more about all of the bills being introduced this legislative session, visit theĀ South Dakota Legislative Research Council., To listen to live or archived committee hearings or floor debates, visitĀ www.sd.net
