Legislative findings, policy and intent

The Legislature hereby declares it to be the responsibility of this state to safeguard life, health and the public welfare; and to protect citizens from unauthorized, unqualified and improper application of nursing education programs and nursing practices. Regulatory authority shall be vested in the South Dakota Board of Nursing. The Legislature recognizes that the practice of nursing is continually evolving to include more sophisticated patient - care activities. It intends to provide clear legal authority for functions and procedures which have common acceptance and usage, to recognize the existence of overlapping functions within the practice of nursing and medicine, and to permit additional sharing of functions within organized health care systems which provide for collaboration with other health team members.

Source: SL 1976, ch 228, § 1.