South Dakota Bill Regarding Down Syndrome Counseling (HB 1155)

HB 1155 would have required that any health-care providers and counselors who provide services to pregnant women provide state-developed printed materials to pregnant patients upon delivery of a test result that is positive for Down syndrome. The bill states that the printed materials must contain up-to-date and medically accurate information about Down Syndrome and contact information for support programs.

The bill would also have required a provider to inquire as to whether the pregnant woman is seeking an abortion because of a Down Syndrome diagnosis.

The bill would have required the Department of Health to provide educational materials and guidance about Down syndrome to abortion providers for the purposes of assuring the dissemination of accurate and appropriate education.

STATUS

Passed House on February 19, 2015. Tabled by Senate Health Committee.

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