Democrats ask Governor to call lawmakers into a special session

Top Democratic leaders in the Missouri legislature want Republican Gov. Mike Parson to call lawmakers into a special session to clarify the issues of access to contraceptives and the treatment of ectopic pregnancies.

The request comes after the passage of a trigger law that bans almost all abortions in the state.

Sen. Minority Leader John Rizzo of Independence and House Minority Leader Crystal Quade of Springfield say the state needs to clearly define what forms of contraception are legal and what falls under the definition of a “medical emergency” in Missouri’s law.

A large Missouri hospital chain briefly stopped providing emergency contraception after the new law passed, fearing the state’s abortion ban could put doctors who provide the medication at risk of criminal charges.

Parson said last week he would call a special session to deal with taxes.

So far, he has not officially responded to the latest request from Democrats.