SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - No one spoke against Senate Bill 24 prohibiting the sale of fetal body parts in South Dakota.
Attorney General Marty Jackley admits there has never been a like violation in the state. Jackley says the issue came up more on a national level and his office was asked to look into whether or not harvesting fetal tissue for profit happened in South Dakota.
Jackley's office checked with the Department of Health and determined that there is no evidence that this has happened here. He said the bill is in response to what his office sees as an incomplete measure. Meaning that if he would have found something, the state may not have been able to proceed.
He says the legislation provides a deterrent and, if it were to happen, it would be on the books and everyone would know what the consequences are.
Democratic State Senator Jim Bradford of Pine Ridge questioned if the measure is needed. Bradford says it seem that legislators are putting more laws on the books and rarely take any off. He says the LRC impact statement concluded that no one has committed the act and there is no affect on the courts or prisons.
The measure passed the committee unanimously.