South Dakota Tightens Anti-Abortion Legislation
The four new laws further tighten the state’s control on abortion and could potentially prohibit almost all abortion in the state.
On Thursday, South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds approved four anti-abortion bills further tightening the state’s restrictions on abortion, which are already considered as some of the toughest in the United States.
Currently, South Dakota allows abortions to be performed up until the fetus is 24 weeks old. Only if the health or life of the mother is in danger can later-term abortions be allowed.
Pending a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on whether or not to reverse its ruling on Roe v. Wade, states may regain the authority to prohibit abortion. If so, one of the new laws signed by Rounds will essentially ban almost all abortions in South Dakota, except when a woman’s life is in danger. A penalty of up to 2 years in prison may be given to doctors who perform illegal abortions.
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Another bill requires doctors to inform women at least two hours before a procedure about the potential risks associated with abortion and explicitly state that abortion terminates the life of the fetus.
This law is meant to ensure that women are fully informed before they receive an abortion. However, opponents of the measure say that it undermines medical privacy. They may challenge the law in the courts.
Rounds also approved a measure stating that if an abortion is performed to protect the life or health of a minor, doctors must notify her parents within 24 hours of the procedure. This requirement may be circumvented if the minor seeks a court order.
Under the fourth new law, a state task force will be created to examine the history of abortion since 1973. The impetus for the formation of this task force comes from opponents of abortion, who say that new advances have been made in science, medicine, and technology since the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that may affect current abortion legislation. The task force will use the data to suggest changes to other laws.
The new laws will take effect on July 1. Next week, the House Judiciary Committee in Oregon will consider four bills with similar restrictions on abortion. Unlike South Dakota, Oregon is known as one of the states with the most lenient policies regarding abortion.
