South Dakota Bill 1255 requires Department of Health to accept veteran medical records for cannabis registry cards

Original title: require that the Department of Health accept the medical records of a veteran applying for a medical cannabis registry identification card.

Last action · February 19, 2026: Deferred to the 41st legislative daySponsors: Tim Goodwin and 8 others

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What This Bill Proposed

South Dakota House Bill 1255 requires the Department of Health to issue a medical cannabis to a veteran who submits VA medical records current within three years showing a debilitating medical condition, along with proof of a discharge other than dishonorable and standard application materials. The bill also waives reapplication fees for patients undergoing a follow-up assessment within sixty days of their initial certification.

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

Veterans

Veterans may use VA medical records current within three years instead of standard recent practitioner certifications to apply for a medical cannabis registry card.

Directly affected

South Dakota Department of Health

The department is mandated to accept VA medical records and issue registry identification cards to qualifying veteran applicants under specific new criteria.

Key Facts

The Department of Health is required to issue a medical cannabis registry identification card to a veteran who submits medical records from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs current within three years indicating a debilitating medical condition.
Applicants must submit documentation certifying discharge or release from military service under conditions other than dishonorable.
Veterans applying under the new section must provide the application fee or renewal fee, along with personal identification details or an exception if homeless.
Applicants must list their name, address, and telephone number of their preferred Department of Veterans Affairs health facility.

Show all 7 facts

Registry identification cards issued under the veteran provisions expire one year after the date of issuance and may be renewed.
A veteran is defined as an individual who served in the active military, naval, air, or space service of the armed forces of the United States and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.
The fee required for a second registry identification card is waived if a patient undergoes a follow-up assessment within sixty days of issuing the first written certification, limited to one fee waiver per calendar year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What medical records does a veteran need to submit to get a registry card?

A veteran must submit the portion of their medical records from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, current within three years of the application date, which indicates a diagnosis of a debilitating medical condition.

How long is a registry identification card valid for a veteran under this bill?

A issued under this section expires one year after the date of issuance and may be renewed.

Are application fees waived for follow-up assessments?

Yes, the reapplication fee for a second is waived if a patient conducts a follow-up assessment with a practitioner within sixty days of issuing the initial , up to once per calendar year.

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

4 actions

Feb 19, 2026House
Deferred to the 41st legislative day
Feb 19, 2026House
Scheduled for hearing
Feb 9, 2026House
Scheduled for hearing
Feb 3, 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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