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Read. Follow. Verify.South Dakota requires licensure, background checks, and training for non-medical home care agencies
Last action · March 30, 2026: Delivered veto sustained to the Secretary of StateSponsors: Mellissa Heermann and 12 others
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What This Bill Proposed
Non-medical home care agencies in South Dakota must obtain an annual license from the Department of Health, ensure aides complete at least eight hours of training, conduct criminal background checks, and maintain professional liability insurance starting January 1, 2027. Operating without a license is classified as a . Exemptions apply to Medicare-certified home health agencies, licensed health care facilities, and individual family members providing care.
Agency owners face new licensing fees, mandatory background checks for staff, and strict training requirements, while clients receive standardized safety protections and recourse through state oversight.
- South Dakota previously regulated certain health care facilities and home health agencies, but non-medical home care agencies operating in private residences lacked a dedicated state licensure and background check requirement. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Non-medical home care agencies
Agencies must obtain an annual license, pay fees, ensure staff background checks and training, maintain professional liability insurance, and keep client records.
Home care aides
Aides must complete mandatory training hours, submit to criminal history background checks, and meet disqualifying crime standards.
Clients receiving non-medical home care services
Clients receive services from regulated agencies with background-checked staff and guaranteed professional liability insurance coverage.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What training is required for home care aides?
Are family members who provide care required to be licensed?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Vetoed by the governor.
Procedural history
22 actions- Mar 30, 2026HouseDelivered veto sustained to the Secretary of State
- Mar 30, 2026HouseVeto override
- Mar 30, 2026HouseVetoed by the Governor
- Mar 11, 2026HouseEnrolledDelivered to the Governor
- Mar 10, 2026SenateSigned by the President
- Mar 9, 2026HouseSigned by the Speaker
Show 16 earlier actions
- Mar 5, 2026SenateCommitteeDo Pass Amended
- Mar 4, 2026SenateCommitteeDo Pass
- Mar 4, 2026SenateScheduled for hearing
- Feb 20, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst read in Senate and referred to
- Feb 19, 2026HouseCommitteeDo Pass Amended
- Feb 19, 2026HouseMotion to amend
- Feb 18, 2026HousePlaced on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6
- Feb 17, 2026HouseReport out of committee without recommendation as amended
- Feb 17, 2026HouseRecalled from committee (Rule 7-7)
- Feb 10, 2026HouseDeferred to the 41st legislative day
- Feb 10, 2026HouseMotion to amend
- Feb 10, 2026HouseScheduled for hearing
- Feb 10, 2026HouseMotion to amend
- Feb 10, 2026HouseScheduled for hearing
- Jan 27, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred to
- Jan 26, 2026HouseIntroducedFirst Reading House
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Voting Record
Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6
Total
70
- Yes
- 48
- No
- 19
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 0
- Abstain
- 0
- Other positions
- 3
How they voted (1)
Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Show 8 more sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Establishment of State Oversight for Non-Medical Home Care
South Dakota creates an entirely new regulatory framework under Title 34 requiring licensure, background checks, and standardized training for home care providers that previously lacked specific statutory licensing.
Connected Entities
Sources
sdlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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