34-23A-58. Registry of pregnancy help centers.

412 words·~2 min read·/sd/title-34/chapter-34-23/34-23a-58

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

The Department of Health shall maintain a registry of pregnancy help centers located in the State of South Dakota. The Department shall publish a list of all pregnancy help centers which submit a written request or application to be listed on the state registry of pregnancy help centers. All pregnancy help centers seeking to be listed on the registry shall be so listed without charge, if they submit an affidavit that certifies that:

(1)The pregnancy help center has a facility or office in the State of South Dakota in which it routinely consults with women for the purpose of helping them keep their relationship with their unborn children;

(2)That one of its principal missions is to educate, counsel, and otherwise assist women to help them maintain their relationship with their unborn children;

(3)That they do not perform abortions at their facility, and have no affiliation with any organization or physician which performs abortions;

(4)That they do not now refer pregnant women for abortions, and have not referred any pregnant women for an abortion at any time in the three years immediately preceding July 1, 2011;

(5)That they have a medical director licensed by South Dakota to practice medicine or that they have a collaborative agreement with a physician licensed in South Dakota to practice medicine to whom women can be referred;

(6)That they shall provide the counseling and interviews described in §§ 34-23A-53 to 34-23A-62 , inclusive, upon request by pregnant mothers;

(7)That they shall comply with the provisions of § 34-23A-59 as it relates to discussion of religious beliefs; and

(8)That they do not place children for adoption.

For purposes of placing the name of a pregnancy help center on the state registry of pregnancy help centers maintained by the Department of Health, it is irrelevant whether the pregnancy help center is secular or faith based. The Department of Health shall immediately provide a copy of the registry of pregnancy health centers to all physicians, facilities, and entities that request it. The registry shall be regularly updated by the Department of Health in order to include a current list of pregnancy help centers and shall forward all updated lists to all physicians, facilities, and entities that previously requested the list.

The Department of Health shall accept written requests or applications to be placed on the state registry of pregnancy help centers from pregnancy help centers after enactment but prior to July 1, 2011.