Some South Dakota lawmakers looking to ban vaccine mandates

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — South Dakota House lawmakers are trying to encourage Gov. Kristi Noem to call a special session to pass a ban on employers requiring COVID-19 vaccinations.

Several Republicans in the House of Representatives have circulated drafts of bills that would stop employers from mandating vaccinations against the virus.

They’re trying to encourage Noem to call a special session for them to approve the bills. But she has resisted those calls, saying there is not widespread support for a special session.

Meanwhile, cases of the virus in South Dakota have climbed to their highest levels since February.