A representative of the Waukesha, Wis.-based group Basic Abortion-Rights Network on Tuesday filed paperwork to sponsor a referendum to put a South Dakota law (HB 1215) that bans abortion in the state except to save a woman's life on a statewide ballot in November, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader reports. The petition drive is being sponsored by Noah Beck Hahn-Walter of the Basic Abortion-Rights Network, who could not be reached for comment on Tuesday, according to the Argus Leader. According to South Dakota Secretary of State Chris Nelson (R), laws passed by the state Legislature can be put on statewide ballots for approval or rejection by voters if 16,728 signatures are collected within 90 days of adjournment of the legislative session when the bill was passed. Nelson said nothing prevents an out-of-state group from launching a petition drive, adding that if the Legislature adjourns on March 20 as expected, the Basic Abortion-Rights Network would have until mid-June to submit signatures. Nelson also said that groups could place initiatives for potential state laws on the ballot by obtaining the same number of signatures by May 2 (Brandert/Martin, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 3/15). The abortion ban is scheduled to take effect July 1 (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 3/14).