South Dakota abortion law video bill passed by House committee

South Dakota would get into the video production business concerning abortion laws under a bill passed Monday by a House Committee.

HB1224 would require the Department of Health, the Attorney General, and health care providers to produce a video and other materials describing the state’s abortion laws and medical care for pregnant women experiencing life-threatening medical conditions.

The House State Affairs Committee passed the bill on an 11 to 1 vote.

The sponsor, Republican Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt from Sioux Falls, a certified nurse anesthetist, said there was no political agenda to her bill. She said it would be used in-house in hospitals and other health care facilities to help inform staff what South Dakota law allows and does not allow when it comes to abortion and the health of the mother.

A number of right to life groups supported the bill, but so did Sanford Health.

There was no opposition to the bill.

The measure now goes to the full House for consideration.