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Bill

HB 1023

establish requirements and liability protection for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses serving on ambulance crews.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Eric Emery and 8 co-sponsors

HB 1023 allows registered and licensed practical nurses to staff ambulance crews in South Dakota with liability protections, expanding emergency medical services workforce options.

Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed,
#emergencymedicalservices #interimlegislativecommitteebill #liability #publichealthandsafety
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Bill Summary · HB 1023

Legislative bill overview

HB 1023 establishes requirements for registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to serve on ambulance crews in South Dakota, while providing liability protections for these healthcare professionals. The bill has already passed the House Health and Human Services Committee with unanimous support (13-0) after accepting an amendment.

Why is this important

Rural and underserved areas often struggle to staff ambulances with adequate medical personnel, and this bill addresses potential workforce shortages by clarifying the legal framework for nurses to work in emergency medical services. The liability protections encourage qualified healthcare professionals to take these roles by reducing legal risk, which can improve emergency response capabilities and patient care outcomes in communities with limited EMS resources.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of practice ambiguity: The bill's specific clinical duties, oversight requirements, and how nurse roles differ from paramedics or EMTs may need clarification to prevent conflicts with existing EMS protocols
  • Liability shield limits: Questions about what conduct is actually protected and whether unlimited liability immunity could reduce accountability or patient protections
  • Training and certification standards: Unclear whether additional EMS-specific training beyond nursing licensure is required, potentially affecting service quality and consistency across the state

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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