Abortion Policy, Law & Politics

The state said the ruling could even “protect the solicitation... of online methamphetamine sales by groups who only ‘provide information’" about it.

A case involving advertising for abortion medication is noted alongside an extension of the South Dakota National Guard's deployment with ICE. These developments were reported on October 6 by SDPB.

Beginning in the 2026 Legislative Session, the question of applying criminal penalties to post-abortive women has become a debate among […] The post Why SD Should Not Implement Criminal Penalties for Abortion first appeared on South Dakota Family Voice .

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 21, 2026 Contact: media@sbaprolife.org | View Newsroom Pierre, S.D. – Today Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America Candidate Fund announced its endorsement of Larry Rhoden in his election to continue serving as governor of South Dakota. “Larry Rhoden is a principled, pro-life leader who has demonstrated time and time again his […]

A South Dakota federal judge granted a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of House Bill 1274, a new state law that prohibits advertising and distribution of abortion-related items, ruling it violates First Amendment free speech protections. The ruling came after Mayday Health sued South Dakota officials, arguing the law criminalizes their provision of abortion information and that Section 230 protects them from liability for third-party website links.

South Dakota's Board of Education Standards approved three prenatal development videos for public schools to use starting July 1, as required by a new state law signed by Gov. Larry Rhoden. Options include a video from the anti-abortion group Live Action, which must be paired with another video to meet legal requirements, as well as a longer paid DVD from the Endowment for Human Development.

South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden, a Republican, signed a wave of new pro-life legislation March 20 to clarify the state’s existing abortion law, classify providing abortion … The post South Dakota clarifies pro-life laws, requires schools to show fetal development video appeared first on CatholicVote org .

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden signed three new anti-abortion laws making it a felony to dispense or advertise abortion pills, clarifying the definition of abortion, and requiring public schools to show students prenatal development videos. The laws expand the existing abortion ban, specify exceptions for certain pregnancy-related treatments, and mandate age-appropriate ultrasound videos in schools, reflecting South Dakota's continued legislative efforts to strengthen pro-life measures.

South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden will decide whether to sign House Bill 1257, which clarifies exceptions to the state's near-total abortion ban, including treatments for miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. The South Dakota Senate also passed House Bill 1313, requiring public schools to show age-appropriate, research-based videos on prenatal development that exclude information from abortion-promoting groups.

South Dakota lawmakers are addressing multiple bills on the 30th legislative day, including measures on abortion definitions, voting rights requiring proof of citizenship, and education policies such as restricting student cell phone use. Committees and both chambers in Pierre are also considering bills related to data center regulation, social media data requests, and nicotine product sales.

On March 2, 2026, the South Dakota Senate State Affairs Committee held a hearing that featured House Bill (HB) 1257D. HB 1257D is an amendment to an existing pro-life law that clarifies the definitions of procedures that are not considered abortion, such as treatment of ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. CLI Vice President and Director of […] The post Testimony of Ingrid Skop, M.D., before the South Dakota Senate State Affairs Committee appeared first on Lozier Institute .

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley filed a cease and desist order against Mayday Health for advertising abortion pill access in violation of the state's strict abortion laws, which only allow abortion to save the mother's life. Mayday Health's website enables girls as young as 15 to order abortion pills online, including in South Dakota where abortion is banned, and directs users to out-of-state clinics or abortion funds that assist with travel and expenses.

On February 23, 2026, the South Dakota House State Affairs Committee held a hearing that featured House Bill (HB) 1257D. HB 1257D is an amendment to an existing pro-life law that clarifies the definitions of procedures that are not considered abortion, such as treatment of ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage. CLI Associate Scholar Kathi Aultman, M.D., […] The post Testimony of CLI Associate Scholar Kathi Aultman, M.D., before the South Dakota House State Affairs Committee appeared first on Lozier Institute .

South Dakota lawmakers advanced a bill to clearly define the life-of-the-mother exception in the state's abortion ban, specifying that treatments for ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages, and removal of deceased unborn children are not considered abortions. The bill aims to clarify the 2005 trigger ban that took effect in 2022 and responds to concerns about ambiguity in the law's exception, with support from the Governor's Office and pro-life groups and opposition from medical associations and the ACLU of South Dakota.

South Dakota lawmakers advanced a bill that would make it a felony to advertise, dispense, or distribute abortion pills and related items, allowing the attorney general to seek civil penalties and target out-of-state providers. The bill follows efforts by Attorney General Marty Jackley to stop abortion pill advertisements at gas stations and builds on South Dakota's 2022 abortion trigger ban after the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

A federal judge declined to intervene in South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley's effort to stop Mayday Health's abortion-rights ad campaign that promotes abortion pill information in the state. Jackley argues the ads are deceptive and illegal under South Dakota's abortion ban, with a state court hearing scheduled for February 20 in Pierre to decide on shutting down the campaign.

The South Dakota House Committee of Health & Human Services voted 9-4 to defer House Bill 1212, which would have criminalized abortion and held women criminally liable, effectively killing the bill. State Representative Tony Randolph cited a 17% increase in abortions despite existing pro-life laws, while opponents, including the South Dakota Catholic Conference Executive Director, raised concerns about the bill's practical consequences.

South Dakota lawmakers Rep. Tony Randolph and Sen. John Carley have introduced House Bill 1212 to criminalize abortion statewide by applying existing homicide and wrongful death laws to unborn children. The bill aims to remove current legal exemptions for abortion and extend criminal penalties, with supporters calling it the first of its kind in South Dakota, while opponents warn it could harm marginalized communities and complicate medical care in pregnancy emergencies.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley filed a lawsuit seeking a court order to stop Mayday Health's abortion-pill ad campaign at gas stations in the state, alleging the ads are illegally deceptive and dangerous. The campaign, which includes ads at locations in Brookings and Vermillion, provides links to abortion pill information despite South Dakota's abortion ban and restrictions on medical abortion by telemedicine.

A national nonprofit, Mayday Health, launched an abortion-pill ad campaign at gas stations across South Dakota, prompting Governor Larry Rhoden to request an investigation by Attorney General Marty Jackley into potential violations of state anti-abortion laws and deceptive trade practices. South Dakota's near-total abortion ban and restrictions on medical abortion by telemedicine are central to the state's response to the campaign.