CLICK HERE for our LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION

Six weeks, of the nine-week South Dakota Legislative Session, are now in the rearview mirror and SDRTL has been seated in the Galleries of both the House and the Senate for all of those 27-days. It is there that we watch, wait and take note of how our Legislator's vote on a variety of bills and/or resolutions. 

During this seventh week we have seen "Crossover Day" (Feb. 24) when all bills and resolutions must be passed by their chamber of origin. Keep up with the legislative agenda of SD Right to Life by visiting our Legislative Radar Page.  Currently we still have three Major Bills alive and kicking. They are:

• House Bill 1257 - Definition of Abortion Bill: ”An Act to Amend the Definition of an Abortion.” 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 and ectopic pregnancies.

HB1257 did PASS on the floor of the House on a vote (below) of 60 to 6 and 4 excused. It will now be heard in a Senate Committee soon. 

• House Bill 1274 - Chemical Abortion Pill Bill:  ”An Act to prohibit the dispensing, distribution, sale, or advertisement of certain articles or things for purposes of an unlawful abortion and provide a criminal and civil penalty therefor.”  This bill makes it a Class 6 felony for any person to knowingly dispense, distribute, sell, or advertise drugs or any other substance or thing intended to be used for an illegal abortion. Attorney General Marty Jackley, and Ian Fury of Governor’s Office testified in the House State Affairs Committee in support of this measure, as did SDRTL. The bill gives law enforcement more tools to fight the scourge of the abortion pill trafficked in South Dakota.

HB1274 did PASS on the floor of the House on a vote (above) of 61 to 5 and 4 excused. It will now be heard in a Senate Committee soon. Note: Hot off the press -- find our Chemical Abortion Pill Info Pages and The Definition of Abortion Info Pages on our Legislative Radar Page (scroll to the bottom of the page). Check them out!

• 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. 

PASSED on the floor of the House on a vote of 52 to 10 and 8 excused. It will now be heard in the Senate Health & Human Services Committee on Monday, March 2.

There has been much drama and SPIRITUAL WARFARE here during the 101st SD Legislature!  Unfortunately this has altered/amended several of our Bills but we PRESS ON and PRAY these final three Bills pass, head to our Governor’s Desk and receive his signature! 

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

February 24, 2026

By Nancy Flanders

An ER doctor seems to have accidentally contradicted a pro-abortion social media post and exposed the dangers of the abortion pill in the video’s comments.

The doctor urged women who take the abortion pill to get follow-up care because the abortion pill could kill them — and in the process, she encouraged them to lie to doctors.

Hello, all! Jenn Lee here. I thought I'd share this great article below about a newly built baby box in Arkansas and how quickly it was put to use, saving lives! I will be traveling to Rapid City this weekend to help celebrate the opening of South Dakota's first Safe Haven Baby Box-- hopefully, the first of many! Enjoy this article, from Catholic Vote.

CV NEWS FEED // A newly installed Safe Haven baby box at a fire station in Little Rock, Arkansas, received two infants in only a few weeks, before the box could even be dedicated or blessed.

Please enjoy one of our special speakers for the 2026 Hour of Reflection, Dr. Pat Castle. Pat blessed us with a powerful word of encouragement that you're sure to enjoy! Watch Pat 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