JULY 15, 2022:
Governor Kristi Noem, legislators, and pro-life advocates issued a joint statement (July 15, 2022) on South Dakota’s policies to save lives and help mothers:
“In the last few weeks, it has become clear that South Dakota is the most pro-life state in the nation. Our laws are saving lives, and resources like Life.SD.gov are helping mothers. For these reasons, we are of one mind that South Dakota can prepare to advance on our progress in the regular legislative session, and a special session will not be necessary.”
The statement was co-signed by Governor Kristi Noem; Senators Lee Schoenbeck, Jessica Castleberry, and Erin Tobin; Representatives Jon Hansen, Taylor Rehfeldt, and Rebecca Reimer; Dale Bartscher, Executive Director for South Dakota Right to Life; and Lisa Gennaro, Legislative Liaison for Concerned Women for America of South Dakota.
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JUNE 24, 2022:
The United States Supreme Court announced today (June 24, 2022) it has overturned the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision that has provided Constitutional protection for the past 50 years for those seeking abortions.
South Dakota’s trigger law (found in SDCL 22-17-5.1) provides that as of today, all abortions in the state are illegal “unless there is appropriate and reasonable medical judgment that performance of an abortion is necessary to preserve the life of the pregnant female.”
In response to Court’s ruling in the case of Dobbs vs. the Jackson Women’s Health Organization, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem announced plans for a special session later this year, although the exact dates need to be worked out with legislative leadership.
Noem says the decision “will save unborn lives in South Dakota, but there is more work to do.” She says “we must do what we can to help mothers in crisis know that there are options and resources available for them.”
South Dakota Right to Life Executive Director Dale Bartscher says his group “will continue helping women navigate pregnancies they did not plan for as we remind South Dakotan’s that the pro-life movement cares about women and their unborn children.”
Senate President Pro Tempore Lee Schoenbeck says a special session is necessary because “there will be more work to do on the many challenges a post-Roe world presents in regular session next January.”
House Speaker Pro Tempore Jon Hansen says “an abortion terminates the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being.” He says now South Dakota can “once again protect the lives of all beautiful, innocent, unborn human beings.”
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