Democrats want Parson to include contraception, ectopic pregnancies in special session

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Democratic leaders in Missouri's House and Senate called on Gov. Mike Parson to include legislation clarifying the state's abortion ban in a special session.

Parson said during a news conference about the state budget on July 1 that he plans to call a special session to take up legislation to cut income taxes and extend agricultural tax credits. Parson vetoed measures including a $500 million tax rebate program in favor of new legislation that could come from the special session.

Sen. John Rizzo (D-Kansas City) and Rep. Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) signed a letter to Parson, a Republican, on Monday asking him to include legislation to clarify issues around contraception and ectopic pregnancy in the special session. A date for the session has not been set.

Missouri's abortion ban kicked in immediately after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last month, saying the constitution does not guarantee a right to abortion. The ban led at least one major health system to stop providing emergency contraceptives briefly, citing confusion around the law.

Missouri's ban only allows abortion in emergency situations, which are not defined in the law. Pro-choice advocates say the law could be interpreted in a way that endangers women with ectopic pregnancies, in which the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus.

"Public statements and social media posts from your office and the attorney general’s office have also confirmed that the level of ambiguity around the law is at such an extreme level to warrant a response from the highest levels of state government," the letter reads.