Families from South Dakota Surrogacy, Inc

04/12/2026

‼️ANNOUNCEMENT‼️

Dear Families from South Dakota Surrogacy (FFSDS) Members and Supporters,

We want to share an important update with our community. After thoughtful discussion, the Board of Families from South Dakota Surrogacy (FFSDS) has made the decision to transition our nonprofit organization to inactive status.

This decision was not made lightly, nor does it reflect a change in our values or our commitment. Our intention is not to discontinue efforts to protect surrogacy or other fertility options for individuals and families in South Dakota. Rather, this decision was made based solely on the increasing cost and administrative effort required to maintain an active nonprofit, particularly during a period when we have not been actively fundraising or promoting the organization for several years.

We are incredibly grateful for the support, passion, and dedication that brought us together—especially during the 2020 legislative session. The impact of that work continues to be felt. Together, we helped educate legislators and constituents, not only across South Dakota but throughout our broader network of families and friends. That legacy matters, and it will continue to matter.

While FFSDS may be going inactive as a nonprofit, we hope this community does not. We strongly encourage families to continue supporting one another, sharing resources, and speaking out on any legislation that may arise in future legislative sessions that impacts surrogacy or fertility care.

Thank you for standing with us, believing in this cause, and for the countless ways you have shown up over the years. This work has always been about people—and that does not change.

If you have any questions or would like to talk further, please message us directly!

With sincere gratitude,

Families from South Dakota Surrogacy (FFSDS) Board of Directors

02/16/2026

House Bill 1182 has been amended and passed out of the House Health and Human Services Committee, moving one step closer to becoming law. The bill now moves to the House floor for a vote on Wednesday, February 18th. At this stage, it is more important than ever for lawmakers to hear from you.

As a reminder, HB 1182 would mandate unprecedented state tracking of embryos created through IVF, including:

^ The number of embryos created via ART
^ The number of embryos implanted
^ The number of embryos that undergo preimplantation genetic testing
^ Methods of embryo disposition
^ The number of pregnancies and live births; and
^ It would require IVF clinics to report this detailed clinical activity to the South Dakota Department of Health, which would then make this information public.

While the bill is being presented as a data-collection and transparency measure, it does not improve patient care, medical outcomes, or access to fertility treatment. South Dakota does not conduct fertility or IVF research, and Sanford Fertility (the only clinic of its kind in South Dakota) already reports required outcomes to the CDC under existing federal law. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/26653

More concerning, HB 1182 places an unnecessary focus on embryos rather than on patients and families. Many in the fertility and medical community are concerned that this framework could be used in the future to justify additional regulation or restrictions on IVF and other fertility treatments. At a minimum, it introduces state oversight into deeply personal medical decisions that should remain between patients and their doctors.

We respectfully encourage you to contact your state representative as soon as possible and ask them to vote NO on HB 1182. Hearing directly from families who are personally impacted by this legislation is incredibly important.

Find your South Dakota State Representative and their contact information here:
https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Find

02/12/2026

Unfortunately, House Bill 1182 passed out of committee this morning and will now advance to the House floor for a full vote. We strongly encourage you to contact your district’s representative and respectfully share your opposition to this legislation.

HB 1182 has been framed as an effort to improve IVF outcomes and increase accountability, but that characterization is misleading. The State of South Dakota is not conducting fertility or IVF research, and this bill does not meaningfully enhance patient care, safety, or medical outcomes.

Instead, HB 1182 focuses primarily on the status and tracking of embryos. This intent was evident during committee testimony, where the bill’s sponsor repeatedly referred to embryos as “babies,” and in the bill’s language itself, which does not reflect accepted medical terminology used in fertility treatment. While the bill does not currently restrict access to IVF, it establishes a data-collection framework that raises serious concerns about how this information could be used in the future and what additional limitations may follow. Many in the infertility community fear this is a stepping stone toward further restrictions on fertility treatment—or even a future ban on IVF.

HB 1182 also stigmatizes families who rely on IVF to treat a legitimate medical condition. It reframes a deeply personal, hopeful, and often painful journey into something subject to suspicion and political scrutiny, rather than compassion and medical respect.

Decisions about building a family are profoundly private medical matters. Families pursuing IVF should not be subjected to government tracking, oversight, or interference when couples who conceive without medical assistance are not required to justify their choices or notify the state of their intent to become pregnant. Expanding government authority into these intimate decisions sets a troubling precedent and unfairly targets families already navigating the emotional and financial challenges of infertility.

I urge you to make your voice heard and stand with the infertility community by joining RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association in opposing HB 1182. https://resolve.quorum.us/campaign/155005/

02/11/2026

🚨 ACT NOW: South Dakota Families Need Your Voice 🚨

On Thursday, February 12, the South Dakota House Health and Human Services Committee will hear House Bill 1182 (HB 1182) — a bill that directly impacts IVF and fertility care in our state.

Although framed as a “data collection” bill, HB 1182 mandates state tracking of embryos created through IVF, including:

• The number of embryos created through assisted reproductive technology (ART)
• The number of embryos implanted
• Methods of embryo disposition
• The number of pregnancies and live births

This information would be reported by IVF clinics to the Department of Health and posted publicly.

⚠️ Why this matters:
If passed, HB 1182 would:
• Jeopardize patient privacy
• Increase the cost of IVF
• Reduce clinic capacity
• Impose intrusive reporting requirements on providers
• Lay the groundwork for future restrictions on fertility treatment

This legislation would interfere with medical care and harm South Dakotans trying to build their families.

🗣️ Take action today:
✔️ Register to testify virtually at the hearing
✔️ Send a letter to members of the House Health and Human Services Committee
✔️ Personalize your message — family stories matter and make an impact

🔗 Register to testify virtually:
👉 https://sdlegislature.gov/testify/302516

✉️ Send a letter opposing HB 1182:
👉 https://resolve.quorum.us/campaign/155005/

Please take a moment to speak up and share this post. Protect fertility care. Protect patient privacy. Protect South Dakota families. 🤍

01/23/2025

Book signing is happening THIS SUNDAY from 11-1 at Live Inspired 365! We would LOVE to see you there. Feel free to browse the shop before or after the signing. 📖✍️ 🎉✨🥰. Cash, check, or Venmo accepted

💰Half of all proceeds from the book signing will jumpstart the scholarship I will be offering to help offset costs for Intended Parents. 🤍

04/08/2024

We are happy to support the efforts of Everlasting Hope for this years National Infertility Awareness Week which is April 21-27! 🧡

Please click to view and share their post!

11/29/2023

In case you missed it, check out this beautiful story of Rebecca Jarvis and her husband’s surrogacy journey to bring home their baby boy, Leo:

The ABC News correspondent revealed the long road of how she, her husband Matt and their daughter Isabel found a way to bring their new family member, baby L...

07/04/2023

Wishing all of our supporters a safe and happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙💥

06/08/2023

One of the most common questions surrogates (gestational carriers) get is asking how they can give up the baby. Many don’t understand how hurtful and offensive this question can be.

Surrogates go into an arrangement with the knowledge and mindset that this baby is not theirs. They are carrying a baby that is genetically that of the intended parents! There are absolutely no genetic ties between the surrogate and the baby. Surrogates are grateful to be able to grow the baby for parents that, for a multitude of medical reasons, cannot carry their baby themselves.

04/30/2023

Thank you to our local NIAW Giveaway Sponsors!

Chelsea's Boutique
Experience Embody Massage and Bodywork
Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery

Your sponsorship has been an incredible benefit to our organization. We are so grateful for your kindness!

04/30/2023

Congratulations to all of our winners!

The NIAW movement endeavors to reduce stigma and increase awareness about reproductive health and the challenges faced by those struggling to start a family.

Thank you for joining us last week to raise awareness, start conversations, and support those in need. Infertility can affect anyone regardless of race, religion, sexuality, or economic status. Your participation in this movement is the first step in promoting change and removing the barriers that prevent families from being built.

04/29/2023

Join us with Tara Bradner from Everlasting Hope!

Learn what legislation is in the works to support those impacted by infertility in North Dakota.

Tara discusses her practice to support those suffering from infertility!

See links in the comments to the various resources Tara can offer!

Like, comment and share this post to be entered into tonight’s drawing!