South Dakota
Legislative committee supports ‘conscience exemption’ vaccine bill
A legislative committee endorsed a bill Thursday at the state Capitol in Pierre that would allow South Dakotans to sue their employer, church or even family or neighbor if they’re barred entrance to a building, lose their job or are demoted because they refuse vaccinations during a public health emergency.
House Bill 1223
, introduced by Sioux Falls Republican Rep. Bobbi Andera, would not apply “conscience exemptions” to required school immunizations or health care facilities, or to the South Dakota National Guard if the vaccination is required for federal activation.
Andera was motivated by restrictions enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic tied to a person’s vaccination status.
“I am supporting this bill because I support the people of South Dakota and science,” Andera said. “Science is not quick. It never has and it never will be.”
The other supporter of the bill to testify was a representative with South Dakota Citizens for Liberty, a conservative political advocacy group. The legislation faced a wave of opposition from business and medical organizations.
Justin Smith, a lobbyist representing the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, told lawmakers the bill attacks South Dakota’s “employment at will” laws, because it would prioritize an employee’s “inner conviction” over business owners’ rights to protect themselves, customers, employees and private property.
Smith said the bill could empower employees to sue over something as mundane as being put on a different shift or being moved to a different building, which he said could constitute a “loss of employment status” under the language in the bill.
The bill also allows people who sue to collect three times their actual damages and attorney fees from the defendant if a court rules in the plaintiff’s favor. The suing party would not be responsible for the defendant’s attorney fees if they lose.
“Heads I win, tails you lose,” Smith said.
Seth Tupper / South Dakota Searchlight
Sioux Falls Republican Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt — a nurse anesthetist — was the most vocal critic of the bill. She said it gave her “angst” from both a business and public health perspective because a person could walk into another person’s home despite that homeowner’s personal health or wishes.
Passage of the bill would result in “extreme ramifications damaging as a whole to public health,” Rehfeldt said.
“Where does somebody’s personal freedom get to override somebody else’s right to personal freedom?” Rehfeldt said.
Clear Lake Republican Dylan Jordan said he stands for the “freedom of everyday workers” in his support.
“You shouldn’t be forced by your employer to get any shot you don’t want,” Jordan said.
The bill passed 7-6 out of the House Health and Human Services Committee. It’ll head to the House of Representatives next.
This story was originally published on SouthDakotaSearchlight.com.
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The South Dakota State baseball team is fighting for its season today against Arizona State in the Lincoln Regional. The game is set for 2 p.m.
The No. 4 Jackrabbits (24-32) lost 4-1 to No. 1 Nebraska in the opening game. No. 3 Arizona State lost a 706 heartbreaker to No. 2 Ole Miss in the opening round in 14 innings. The game took nearly 5.5 hours and ended around 1:20 a.m.
Here’s how to watch South Dakota State’s win-or-go-home game.
Watch South Dakota State baseball vs … on ESPN+
South Dakota State vs. Arizona State baseball stream, radio
Stream: ESPN+
Radio: KJJQ 910 AM
South Dakota State vs. Arizona State time today
- Date: Saturday, May 30
- Time: 2 p.m. CT
- Location: Haymarket Park in Lincoln, Nebraska
South Dakota State vs. Arizona State prediction
Paul Cifonelli, Argus Leader: This was always a tough draw for South Dakota State, as I thought this was the toughest regional in the country. At worst it’s the third toughest, with Chapel Hill and College Station in contention.
The Jackrabbits do have an advantage since Arizona State and Ole Miss went at it until after 1 a.m. Both teams stressed their pitching staffs, and every at bat required intense focus. The problem is South Dakota State doesn’t have the same top-end pitching these other teams do.
If Drew McDowell pitches, the Jacks might have a shot here. Otherwise they’ll have to win a slugfest, and I just don’t like those odds.
Prediction: Arizona State 8, South Dakota State 3
MISSION, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – In rural South Dakota, miles often separate expectant mothers from healthcare.
“A lot of women out here are left without any maternity care options,” said Rachel Kocak.
In Mission, moms mark their due dates and calculate miles to the nearest delivery location. Rachel Kocak, expecting her third child, said one option just closed.
“We used to have a birthing unit, I think up until a couple of months ago, and they lost their OB. So, Winner is no longer delivering babies,” Rachel said.
Some mothers remember when they could reach the hospital within a five-minute drive.
“IHS, for tribal members, they don’t deliver babies out here or provide prenatal care,” Rachel explained.
Families hope to reach the hospital before the baby arrives.
“So women either have to drive to Valentine, which is about 30 to 35 minutes from Mission, they can go to Wanblee, which is on the Pine Ridge Reservation, or they have to go to Pierre, Rapid City, or Sioux Falls,” Rachel said.
And if the roads are bad.
“I think there are a lot of babies who are unintentionally born at home. So it’s a tough place, I think, for mothers,” Rachel said.
The March of Dimes breaks down government data, showing a large portion of rural South Dakota as a maternity care desert, requiring travel of 38 or more minutes to reach an appointment or delivery room. The infant mortality rate is higher among native American babies born, compared to other races.
Health Department maps show counties in medium blue have 56 infant deaths per 100,000 births. Dark blue counties have three times as many. Grants aim to increase the number of healthcare workers, and funding supports a doula workforce program.
Kocak would like to see doulas and midwives available.
“Great opportunity for anyone who wants to become a home-birth midwife out here. The birth rate is still, I’m not sure what it is, but it’s high. There’s still a growing young population, and just not enough people to help deliver the babies,” Rachel said.
If care were closer, the outcomes could be brighter.
“You know, having the support network can make a huge change in the lives of these young, you know, these babies and young mothers who are building new families,” Rachel said.
The South Dakota Department of Health released a statement to Dakota News Now, which can be read in full below.
The South Dakota Maternal and Infant Health Task Force was created in 2025 to bring partners together to help improve the health and wellbeing of mothers and infants across the state. Their 5-year strategic plan was recently released, which has three priority areas: postpartum care to improve maternal health; safe sleep education and prevention strategies to protect infant health; and systems of care work that improves access, coordination, and quality of care statewide. One of the strategic plan activities that is supported by Rural Health Transformation is the creation of Regional Maternal and Infant Health Hubs, which will create a hub-and-spoke network connecting hospitals, clinics, tribal health services, and community organizations. These hubs will improve care coordination, strengthen referral pathways, and expand access to services for families in rural and tribal communities.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
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