After more than 45 minutes of debate, members of the South Dakota House of Representatives have passed a bill requiring birth certificates issued by the state reflect the biological sex of the newborn.
Rep. Fred Deutsch of Florence sponsored HB1076. He says the bill is about capturing accurate data used in state vital records.
But Mission Democrat Rep. Shawn Bordeaux and others say the bill, “feels like an attack on people that are transgender.” Bordeaux went so far as to call the bill ‘Hitler-esque’ in his testimony.
Sioux Falls freshman lawmaker Rep. Bethany Soye argued the bill is about the definition of truth and accurately reflecting that truth in the state’s vital records.
The bill passed on a vote of 39-31. District 24 representatives Will Mortenson and Mike Weisgram both voted against the measure. District 23 representatives Charlie Hoffman and Spencer Gosch each voted in favor.
The bill will next be heard in the Senate.
HB1076 was killed in committee Tuesday morning, but members of the full House scheduled the bill for floor debate anyway using a procedural maneuver known as a ‘smoke out.’ The bill was then tacked onto the end of yesterday’s (Wed.) calendar.
Final vote on HB1076 in the South Dakota House Jan. 27, 2021.
Photo credit SD Broadcasters Association.
Rep. Fred Deutsch presents his bill (HB1076) to the House floor.
Photo credit SD Broadcasters Association.
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