This bill aims to clarify the informed consent requirements for prenatal and postnatal care provided to minors in South Dakota. It establishes that a pregnant minor, deemed by a healthcare provider to have the mental capacity to consent, may give informed consent for medical or dental procedures related to her prenatal care, delivery, or postnatal care. However, this consent is contingent upon the healthcare provider first making a reasonable effort to obtain consent from the minor's parent or guardian, documenting that effort in the minor's medical record, and ensuring that the parent or guardian is either unavailable or incapable of providing consent due to mental or physical incapacity.

Additionally, the bill specifies that these provisions do not apply to emancipated minors, as defined in existing law. This legislative change seeks to empower pregnant minors to make healthcare decisions while ensuring that parental involvement is prioritized when possible.