South Dakota prohibits COVID-19 vaccination mandates by employers and agencies and establishes criminal penalties

Original title: prohibit COVID-19 vaccination requirements and to provide a penalty therefor.

Last action · February 20, 2026: Do PassSponsors: Josephine Garcia and 9 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Proposed

Employers, educational institutions, state agencies, and s in South Dakota are prohibited from requiring individuals to receive a COVID-19 vaccination to obtain employment, enrollment, or services. Violations of this prohibition are classified as a .

Why it matters

Residents gain legal protection against compulsory vaccination mandates for jobs, schooling, and public services, while organizations face criminal liability for enforcing vaccine requirements.

Background

House Bill 1210 was introduced during the 101st legislative session of the South Dakota Legislature in 2026. 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.

Directly affected

Employers in South Dakota

Employers are prohibited from enforcing COVID-19 vaccination mandates for employment and face misdemeanor penalties for violations.

Directly affected

Educational institutions in South Dakota

Directly affected

State agencies and political subdivisions

Government bodies are barred from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations to receive public benefits or services.

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

Can my employer require me to get a COVID-19 vaccine in South Dakota under this bill?

No. The bill prohibits employers, educational institutions, state agencies, and s from requiring individuals to receive a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment, enrollment, or for receiving a benefit or service.

What happens if an organization violates this vaccination mandate ban?

A violation of this section is classified as a .

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · passed the House.

Procedural history

4 actions

Feb 20, 2026HouseFloor
Do Pass
Feb 19, 2026HouseCommittee
Do Pass
Feb 19, 2026House
Scheduled for hearing
Jan 29, 2026HouseIntroduced
First read in House and referred to

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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