Gov. Dennis Daugaard has signed a bill into law regarding nurse practitioners and nurse midwives.

Current law requires nurse practitioners and nurse midwives to practice under an agreement with a physician. Senate Bill 61 allows midwives and nurse practitioners with 1,040 hours to work independently according to Daugaard:

There is a need for more health care professionals in rural areas of our state. This bill will eliminate a hurdle for some nurse practitioners and midwives who want to serve in those high-need communities.

In addition to SB 61, the Governor signed eight other bills into law:

  • HB 1030 – An Act to implement certain vehicle size and weight provisions required by federal law.
  • HB 1037 – An Act to revise certain provisions regarding delegates and alternates to the national convention, nominating petitions, and runoff elections and to revise certain provisions for new political parties.
  • HB 1055 - An Act to revise certain provisions regarding the need for a driver license or permit to operate certain motor vehicles.
  • HB 1070 – An Act to revise certain provisions regarding the licensure of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.
  • HB 1081 – An Act to revise certain provisions for establishing a trust for an unlocatable mineral owner.
  • HB 1088 – An Act to revise certain provisions regarding required stops at railroad crossings.
  • SB 46 – An Act to revise certain provisions regarding the state geologist.
  • SB 48 – An Act to provide for the certification of emergency medical responders.

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