South Dakota Gov Signs Pro-Life Bills

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R)
photo credit: Gage Skidmore / Flickr

On Wednesday, March 23, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem signed two pro-life bills into law. One of these bills regulates the distribution of the abortion pill regimen, and the other criminalizes abortion coercion.

South Dakota's HB1318 prohibits abortion businesses from distributing abortion pills via telemedicine. Women who seek abortions via the abortion pill regimen will instead need to make several in-person visits to an abortion business. This prevents abortion businesses from sending pills through the mail while simultaneously decreasing medical risks for the woman.

Women taking the abortion pill regimen will visit once to take the first abortion pill, once to take the second pill, and a third time to confirm that the abortion is complete. The new law codifies an executive order that Noem made last year. It cannot go into effect until a federal judge lifts an injunction blocking those rules.

South Dakota's HB1113 makes it a crime to coerce anyone to get an abortion. Those found guilty can be charged with a Class B felony.

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