Noem Bans Telemedicine Abortions, Restricts Chemical Abortions In SD

      South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has signed an executive order effectively banning abortions by telemedicine and restricting chemical abortions in the state. 

     Noem plans to work with the legislature in next year’s session to pass legislation making these and other anti-abortion protocols permanent.

       Noem says “the Biden Administration is continuing to overstep its authority and suppress legislatures that are standing up for the unborn to pass strong pro-life laws.”

      She says the administration is “working right now to make it easier to end the life of an unborn child via telemedicine abortion,” but that it’s “not going to happen in South Dakota.” 

      Noem’s order directs the South Dakota Dept of Health to establish rules requiring an in-person examination before an abortion pill can be prescribed or given and emphasizing licensed physicians must ensure Informed Consent laws are followed

      It also blocks abortion-inducing drugs from being dispensed via courier, delivery, telemedicine, or the U-S mail or on school or state property while requiring the state health department to develop licensing requirements for “pill only” abortion clinics.

      Another provision has the health department and gather data on what percentage of abortions are done chemically and how often women experience complications in those cases that require a medical follow-up including emergency room visits.