House Bill 1220 is among the many bills that take effect in South Dakota July 1. The law protects women who seek undergo an abortion from prosecution.
The bill passed through the legislature with little resistance. Gov. Kristi Noem signed her approval in March.
Jess Olson, a representative for the South Dakota Legislature, supports the bill. The Rapid City Republican said after Roe v. Wade was overturned, old bills were kickstarted into action. These previous rulings didn’t specify if there were consequences for women requesting abortions. Olson believes making this distinction is important.
“I think our focus, and where I would like to see it, and this is just a piece of that, is when mothers are facing difficult choices and they are looking for support, what we’re not criminalizing them,” Olson said.
Olson said that the legal repercussions will be placed on the health care providers who administer abortions, not the women who request them. She believes the majority of South Dakota believes this bill is the right choice.