Andrew Carnegie once wisely said: "Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” 

And that’s the kind of Pro-Life / Pro-Family Values TEAM we have up here at the Capitol during our 101st Legislative Session. 

CLICK HERE for our LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION

Pictured above from left to right are:

• Norman Woods:  Executive Director South Dakota Family Voice
• Don Haggar:  Lobbyist for South Dakota Family Voice
• Dale Bartscher: SDRTL’s Associate Director & Jenn Lee, SDRTL Executive Director, is also a registered SDRTL lobbyist
• Michael Pauley:  Executive Director South Dakota Catholic Conference 
• Lisa Gennaro:  Lobbyist for SD’s Concerned Women for America
• Linda Schauer:  State Director of SD’s Concerned Women for America

• Ian Fury:  Senior Advisor, Director of Communications, and Unborn Child Advocate in the Governor's Office.

We are currently in WEEK SIX here at the SD State Capitol and we are SUPPORTING these four remaining measures:

• House Bill 1182 - The Human Embryo Reporting Bill: ”An Act to establish a data collection system pertaining to assisted reproductive technology.”  All lives have value and dignity INCLUDING at our earliest stage of development. If human life is going to be constructed in a laboratory, then frozen, researched or discarded, it makes sense that the state at least has an interest in knowing the disposition of​ those human embryos. Listen:  “Good data results in good decision making!” 
• To be heard TODAY - Wednesday, Feb. 18, on the House Floor. There is yet time to contact your Representatives (CLICK HERE) and respectfully ask them to VOTE YES on HB 1182. 

• House Bill 1257 - The Life of the Mother Bill: ”An Act to regulate the performance and reporting of abortions necessary to preserve the life of a female and to provide a penalty therefore.”  This Bill would counter the misinformation campaign from the pro-abortion side that our pro-life law prevents women from receiving needed medical care for miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, and other life-endangering pregnancy complications. 
• To be heard in the House State Affairs Committee on Monday, Feb. 23. Please contact these members and respectfully ask them to VOTE YES on HB 1257.

• House Bill 1274 - Chemical Abortion Pill Bill: ”An Act to restrict the delivery of an abortion-inducing drug into this state and provide a criminal and a civil penalty therefor, and provide a civil action for the wrongful death of an unborn child.”  Women deserve better than pills shipped through the mail with no physician oversight and no accountability when something goes wrong. This bill will help toward that end! 
• To be heard in the House State Affairs Committee soon! Please contact these members and respectfully ask them to VOTE YES on HB 1274.

• House Bill 1313 - Fetal Development Classroom Video Bill: ”An Act to require the inclusion of a human fetal development video in any course that addresses human growth, development, or sexuality.”  This Bill requires education, in the form of an at least a 3-minute video, on prenatal human growth and development in South Dakota's public schools. This measure promises to help students gain an appreciation for the dignity of unborn human life, and think with greater clarity on ethical issues at the beginning of life.  
• To be heard in Senate Health and Human Services Committee soon - TBA! 

FOLLOW-UP:  Some are requesting SDRTL’s response to HB1212 - The Criminal Penalties for Post-Abortive Women Bill. This measure, one that we and the greater pro-life community (state and national) opposed, was defeated in the House Health and Human Services Committee (9 to 4). For our response please go to our website…www.sdRightToLife.org or CLICK HERE.

Friends, thank you for standing with us and praying for us as together we advocate and legislate for LIFE.

Visit our SD Legislature website at https://sdlegislature.gov/.

By Dave Andrusko

Last Tuesday NRLC unveiled its 13^th annual The Status of Abortion in the United States, a must-read report which can be scoured here.

In the following three days we posted an overview; NRLC President Carol Tobias’ Introduction; my story on “ABORTION IN AMERICA: Abortion Statistics Before and After Dobbs”; and a second written by me :“Chemical Abortions: No State is Safe from Chemical Abortions—But Help is on the Way”.

As is abundantly obvious, chemical abortions/the abortion pill/mifepristone were the dominate story of 2025. And understandably so, for they are associated with far higher complication rates than previously acknowledged and are now responsible for upwards of two-thirds of all U.S. abortions.

Please enjoy our 2026 Hour of Reflection Keynote Speaker, Jenna Spellerberg, Nurse Manager with Alpha Center. Jenna delivered us an incredibly timely word-- we hope you'll take time to watch and hear how Jenna and those at Alpha Center help "Support Her, Protect Them."

Watch Jenna here.

We are delighted to announce our partnership with Seven Weeks Coffee and a new way for you to support the pro-life cause. Thanks to their generosity, SDRTL will receive 20% of all partnership donations throughout the month of February, and will receive a grant at the end of the month. Please use our personalized QR Code above to place your life-affirming order, and enjoy!

One of our amazing SDRTL Chapters has stepped up to fully sponsor one young adult, age 18–25, to attend the National Right to Life Academy for one week this summer in Washington, D.C. This incredible academy offers intensive pro-life training led by foremost leaders in the movement, covering topics such as:

• abortion
• euthanasia
• stem cell research
• Planned Parenthood
• legislative strategy
• politics
• communication
• grassroots organizing
• IVF...and much more!

The cost per student is $2,500, which covers tuition for the Academy, one round-trip flight, a seven-night hotel stay, and meals. Our goal is to match this gift and send two outstanding young leaders from South Dakota to attend. If we exceed our goal, we will be able to sponsor additional students.

If you would like to help our Chapters make this opportunity possible, please donate using the link below. In the “In Honor” section, please enter “Academy.” Checks may also be mailed, with “Academy” noted in the memo line, to:

SDRTL

4001 W Valhalla Blvd, Ste 101

Sioux Falls, SD, 57106

If you or someone you know is interested in applying for the NRLC Academy, download the application here.

Thank you so much for investing in South Dakota's future pro-life leaders! We will keep you up to date on those chosen for this incredible opportunity.

We are so thankful for your heart for moms, dads, and babies in SD. We love our partners!

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation, make your check out to "South Dakota Right to Life Education Fund," or give online at SDRighttoLife.org. Mail your donations to:

SDRTL

4001 W Valhalla Blvd, Ste 101

Sioux Falls, SD 57106