“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
His greatness no one can fathom.” Psalm 145:3
On July 1, HB1053 became law in South Dakota. It requires age verification to access adult-oriented content, thus protecting minors from admission to online pornographic sites. The Supreme Court recently upheld a similar Texas law, Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, thus affirming our South Dakota law. Thanks be to God!
The Court’s decision clarifies that states may enact reasonable measures, such as age verification, to prevent minors from accessing sexually explicit material online. This addresses a critical health concern.
Attorney General Jackley supported HB1053 and stated this week, “The United States Supreme Court decision is a major victory for families and the ability of states to protect children from the damaging effects of online pornography.”
Our Concerned Women for America of South Dakota Legislative Liaison, Lisa Gennaro, in testimony supporting HB1053, explained the minor’s ease of accessing a web site containing obscene content, thus providing the industry a consumer for life. She described how the content is nudity, verbal abuse, raping, choking etc., giving the young person a distorted view of sex instead of a meaningful loving marriage relationship. Read more about HB1053 here.
Another Court decision celebrating parental rights, Mahmoud v. Taylor, passed the Court 6-3. Maryland parents stood against the school district’s policy that required students to engage with controversial and inappropriate materials promoting radical ideologies, including sexualized content and gender transitioning without parental consent, notification, or an option to opt out. Penny Nance, CEO and President of CWA stated, “The Supreme Court has rightfully affirmed that parents, not the state, hold the sacred duty to shape their children’s moral and spiritual upbringing.”
In a victory for life, the Supreme Court upheld South Carolina’s sovereign authority in Medina v. Planned Parenthood to exclude abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid funds. The Court’s decision affirms that states can administer Medicaid programs in alignment with their commitment to safeguarding life, ensuring taxpayer dollars do not support abortion or other harmful practices. You will be pleased to know that South Dakota does not allow Medicaid funds to be directed to abortion providers or Planned Parenthood.
In another 6-3 decision, in United States v. Skrmetti, the Court upheld Tennessee’s SB1. This law protects minors from irreversible gender-affirming medical procedures, reinforcing the state’s authority to safeguard the health and well-being of its children. This decision confirms that a state’s efforts to protect children who struggle with identity issues from life-altering and irreversible procedures does not violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
In 2022, CWA of South Dakota exposed Sanford Health System’s partnership with the Transformation Project’s contract with the state of South Dakota whose mission is “supporting and empowering transgender youth.” It was revealed that “gender reassignment” procedures were being provided to youth through Sanford Health. Read more here.
This exposure led to the passage of HB1080 in South Dakota to prohibit the radical “treatment” for gender dysphoria, including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and irreversible surgeries. We are pleased that the Supreme Court’s decision affirms our 2023 South Dakota law prioritizing the protection of our youth in accordance with Biblical principles.
We praise God for these victories! CWA will continue to advocate for policies that glorify God, strengthen families, and uphold the unchanging truth of Scripture.
“Great is Thy faithfulness. O God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not; As Thou hast been Thou for ever will be.”
Lamentations 3: 22-23
