Legislative Updates

South Dakota State Capiatl

Legislative Update 03/22/2020

The outcome of bills monitored by SDSLHA during the 2020 legislative session is as follows:

HB 1175 to define dyslexia for SPED and related services. The bill has been referred to the House Education committee. Signed by the Governor 3/11/2020  

HB 1201 to provide for the distribution of a list of possible reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities. The list would be compiled by the Department of Education and provided to the student/parents/guardians prior to any IEP or 504 team meeting. Did not pass.

HB 1218 to establish requirements for schools regarding parental notice of and access to certain test, assessments, evaluations, and observation. This bill would require schools to provide notice of tests, assessments, evaluations, or observations to parents and guardians, including a notice of the date of the planned administration of the measure. It would also require districts to provide assessment, evaluation, and observation results to parents and guardians at least 5 business days before any meeting of the IEP team. Did not pass.   

HB 1276 to provide for a review of occupational regulation. This bill will establish a review process for new and existing occupational regulations. Selected occupations will be reviewed and analyzed by the SD Department of Labor and Regulation each year. Language is included addressing licensing of individuals with criminal records. It has been referred to the House State Affairs committee. Did not pass.

HB 1278 to create a dementia services coordinator position within the Department of Human Services. Did not pass.  

HB 1210 to require parental notice of a social and emotional learning questionnaire regarding a student. Does not apply to students on IEPs or 504 plans. Did not pass.  

HB 1228 to include children with hearing loss in the reporting criteria required for deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Delivered to the Governor on 3/11/2020.

HB 1237 to establish the Early Learning Advisory Council. Did not pass.

SB 60 to adopt the Physical Therapist Licensure Compact passed the Senate 34 – 0 on 2/11/2020. Delivered to the Governor 3/10/2020

SB 117 to require the Department of Education to establish certain programs for children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Changes “may” to “shall,” requiring service providers to be specifically trained to work with children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing. Scheduled in the Senate Education committee for 12/13/2020. Did not pass.  

SB 123 to make an appropriation for the Literacy Intervention Program. Did not pass.  

ASLP-IC Update: To date, legislation has been introduced in AL, GA, KS, KY, LA, MD, NE, OK, UT, WV & WY. To date, the legislation has based in WV, UT, and WY. Other states are still considering the legislation, which needs to pass in 10 states for it to be enacted. Read about the successful effort in WV.  

Legislative Alerts

SDSLHA monitored several legislative acts during the 2020 SD legislative session. Read the final 2020 SDSLHA Legislative Update. The 2021 legislative session begins on January 12, 2021 and ends on March 11, 2021. 96th South Dakota Legislative Session Calendar. SDSLHA members are encouraged to monitor bills that are introduced in the legislative session and to contact the SDSLHA Executive Council to voice opinions on legislation that has a potential effect on our professions and the individuals we serve. To read legislative acts that are introduced in session, go to https://sdlegislature.gov/ and search “Bills” for the current session.