Gov. Rhoden has signed 64 bills, including baby box bill
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Gov. Larry Rhoden has signed 64 bills into state law so far this legislative session.
One of the most recent bills Rhoden signed on Thursday was House Bill 1044, which authorizes the use of safety boxes to anonymously surrender a newborn at an emergency location.
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The bill was named after Baby Gabriel, who was found dead in a Sioux Falls recycling center last August.
Supporters of the bill say if the safe haven boxes had been legal in the state and another option was available instead of abandonment, it could have prevented Gabriel's death.
'Hopefully with these baby boxes, there will be fewer 'Baby Gabriels' and more babies in loving homes,' Rhoden said in a news release from Thursday.
Rhoden also signed five other bills into law Thursday.
SB 93 prohibits payment or rebate of insurance deductibles by contractors providing motor vehicle repair services
SB 111 permits a court to order family therapy or reunification therapy in a custody or visitation dispute
HB 1099 modifies the community paramedic endorsement
HB 1144 adopts the dietitian licensure compact
HB 1189 extends by two years the date on which moneys appropriated to the Governor's Office of Economic Development in 2021 for marketing, route restoration, business development, and air service marketing will revert to the general fund.
KELOLAND News has reported twice on bills Rhoden signed. Our latest report from February 25 covered 43 bills.
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From February 25 to March 5, Rhoden signed an additional 15 bills.
SB 65 provides for the sale of certain real estate located in Pennington County and provides for the deposit of the proceeds
SB 71 revises provisions pertaining to the compulsory age for school attendance
SB 72 revises the payor of autopsy costs in certain circumstances
SB 84 extends the timeframe for filling a vacancy in a board of county commissioners
SB 97 allows the governing body of a municipality to change the use of municipally owned parkland by ordinance
SB 109 permits a school district to implement a new or revised section 504 plan, individualized family service plan, or individualized education program for a student who is the child of an active-duty member of the United States armed forces
HB 1042 makes an appropriation for the construction of historical exhibits at the Cultural Heritage Center
HB 1053 requires age verification by websites containing material that is harmful to minors
HB 1057 transfers moneys from the South Dakota-bred racing fund to the special racing revolving fund
HB 1160 waives the driver license renewal period for members of the military and their families, and employees of the state department
HB 1063 revises the provisions for preparing a fiscal note for ballot questions
HB 1118 prohibits the award or use of state moneys for the research, production, promotion, sale, or distribution of cell-cultured protein
HB 1052 prohibits the exercise of eminent domain for a pipeline that carries carbon oxide
HB 1173 eliminates the cap on assessment amounts for road improvements
HB 1095 extends the area in which a director for an irrigation district may reside
All bills will go into effect on July 1, unless they have an emergency clause, then they go into effect immediately.
The following bills have already taken effect and are currently being enforced:
SB33 makes appropriations for water and environmental purposes and declares an emergency
SB 35 modifies substances listed on the controlled substances schedule and to declare an emergency
HB 1014 modifies provisions related to emergency medical services personnel and to declare an emergency
HB 1033 makes an appropriation for costs related to emergencies and disasters impacting the state and to declare an emergency
HB 1034 makes an appropriation for costs related to the suppression of wildfires impacting the state and to declare an emergency
HB1047 makes an appropriation to reimburse health care professionals who have complied with the requirements for rural recruitment assistance programs and declares an emergency
As of March 7, there are only five days left of this year's legislative session, including Veto Day.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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