Abortion restrictions, school choice law set to take effect


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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A slew of new laws that were passed during the 2016 legislative session go into effect Friday, including tighter restrictions on abortions and allowing beer and wine sales at universities. Here's a look at some of the new laws going into effect:

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SCHOOL CHOICE

Insurance companies can get an 80 percent tax credit for contributions to a grant organization that will help lower-income students attend private schools. The credits can total up to $2 million each budget year. The program was approved this year over the protests of public education advocates. Supporters established a nonprofit to dole out the scholarships when funds become available, and aim to award at least some scholarships for the fall.

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ABORTION LAWS

Most abortions beyond 19 weeks of pregnancy will be banned, with exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for a claim or diagnosis that a woman intends to kill or harm herself. The law is based on the disputed premise that a fetus can feel pain at that stage.

Also, another new law requires doctors to inform women undergoing medical abortions, in which two drugs are taken separately, that they may be able to discontinue the abortion if they don't take the second drug.

A third statute makes it a felony in South Dakota to sell fetal tissue.

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CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

South Dakota's EB-5 and GEAR UP scandals prompted lawmakers to approve a measure that requires conflict of interest disclosure from officials serving on 22 state boards if they benefit from a state contract in their subject area. The law also applies to certain education organizations, such as educational cooperatives like the one involved in GEAR UP. If officials do not disclose conflicts, which also extend to a spouse, they could face a misdemeanor penalty.

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ALCOHOL FUNDS

A share of alcohol tax revenue will be given to counties, where officials say they're spending more on court- and jail-related expenses, such as court-appointed attorneys. Supporters successfully argued that counties dealing with alcohol-related costs should get a quarter of the tax money from a state alcohol fund. Such collections totaled over $14 million in budget year 2015.

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UNIVERSITY BEER SALES

The Board of Regents is giving final consideration to rules governing the sale of beer and wine at special events hosted at South Dakota's public universities before the new law goes into effect.

Past state law didn't ban serving alcohol, but on-campus sales were prohibited until a measure allowing them was approved in the 2016 legislative session. Supporters say the changes are very narrow. The law specifies that beer and wine sales are limited to special events involving sports, performing arts and fundraising, among other occasions.

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