South Dakota House, Senate weigh differing COVID-19 protocols The South Dakota Legislature on Wednesday released its list of COVID-19 safety protocols now under consideration. While the Senate would require masks, the House would only encourage their use. Written By: Christopher Vondracek | × SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — A COVID-19 safety protocol to require masks for the South Dakota Senate, but not the House of Representatives, is being proposed by those chambers' leaders for when lawmakers convene in Pierre for the 2021 legislative session next week. A separate protocol "encouraging," not mandating, persons on the House side to wear facial coverings is also being proposed, according to a statement on Wednesday, Jan. 6, from the South Dakota Legislative Research Council.