A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, Opposing an initiated measure to place the right to an abortion in the Constitution of South Dakota.
WHEREAS, the right to life is the most basic and fundamental human right; and
WHEREAS, the protection of human life is a principal duty of any government; and
WHEREAS, an initiated amendment to the Constitution of South Dakota may appear on the ballot in November 2024 and, if passed, will enshrine in the Constitution the right to an abortion; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment to the Constitution would permit the termination of a human life, at any stage of pregnancy, including when the child is able to survive outside of the womb; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment to the Constitution would eliminate a host of statutory provisions that were enacted for the safety and well-being of the pregnant woman and her child; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment to the Constitution would override existing conscience protections that were enacted for healthcare providers; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment to the Constitution would negatively impact parental rights; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment to the Constitution would severely restrict any future enactment of protections for a pregnant woman, her child, and her healthcare providers:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the House of Representatives of the Ninety-Ninth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, the Senate concurring therein, that the proposed amendment to the Constitution would fail to protect human life, would fail to protect a pregnant woman, and would fail to protect the child she bears.
Adopted by the House of Representatives, February 12, 2024
Concurred in by the Senate, February 14, 2024
_____________________ _____________________ Hugh Bartels Patricia Miller Speaker of the House Chief Clerk
_____________________ _____________________ Lee Schoenbeck Peggy Laurenz President Pro Tempore Secretary of the Senate
of the Senate