Senators heading back to Capitol for special session

Missouri senators are going back to the Capitol Tuesday to debate abortion-related bills in the second special session since May’s adjournment.

The senators gathered Monday afternoon but did not vote on the bills.

The main focus was Senate Bill 5. The bill has been modified by the House and is now back in the Senate.

The bill would create stricter rules for abortion procedures and clinics. It would also give the attorney general the power to intervene in local abortion law cases.

Senators from both parties say they would have trouble voting for that bill if the AG stipulation stays in.

The original bill passed out of the Senate in June after multiple meetings and committee hearings. The bill was then sent to the House, where representatives added more restrictions. Supporters of the House version hope the bill will help in shutting down Planned Parenthood’s St. Louis location, the only abortion clinic in left the state.

A portion of the bill also seems to target a city of St. Louis ordinance that bans employers and landlords from firing, refusing to hire or disciplining women who have used contraceptives, had an abortion or gotten pregnant before marriage.

Supporters of that part of the bill say it protects freedom of speech for pro-life clinics.

The cost of the special session is expected to reach up to $60,000.