News & Commentary

The Department of Social Services in Pierre ordered a child to be catheterized in order to charge his parents with a crime. We wrote a letter telling them to stop.

ACLU of South Dakota policy director and lobbyist, Libby Skarin breaks down the good, the bad, and the next steps for us in her Legislative Recap.

South Dakota has become the first state in 2017 to pass anti-LGBT legislation.

South Dakota just passed a bill that would prioritize the agencies’ religious beliefs over the needs of these states’ most vulnerable children, allowing agencies to use religious criteria to screen out qualified prospective parents. Legislatures in other states are quickly following suit.

Today the South Dakota State House approved SB 149 on a 43-20 (7 excused) vote. The bill, which would allow taxpayer funded agencies to refuse to provide any service, including adoption or foster care services, on the basis on the agency’s religious or moral convictions, now moves to the Governor’s desk for consideration.

We have been blessed with two beautiful children through foster care and adoption. But SB 149 could make it difficult – or even impossible – to build strong, loving families like ours.

Today the South Dakota State Senate advanced SB 149 to the House on a 22-12 vote. This bill would allow taxpayer funded agencies to refuse to provide any service, including adoption or foster care placement, on the basis of the agency’s religious beliefs or moral convictions.

Several bills are being considered this week seeking to limit the rights of LGBT people, restrict and criminalize abortion, and chill First Amendment activity. It’s imperative that everyday citizens do the job of showing up, speaking up, and holding representatives accountable for upholding our values.

This morning the Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed SB 149 on a 5-2 vote. This bill would allow taxpayer-supported agencies to refuse to provide any service, including adoption or foster care placement, on the basis of the agency's religious beliefs or moral convictions.