Mo. Senate sends discrimination bill to House

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Senate has approved a measure that would change the state's workplace discrimination laws.

The bill would require workers who fight firings or other adverse decisions to prove in court that discrimination was a "motivating factor" -- and not just a contributing factor. It passed on a party line 25-8 vote Wednesday.

Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, a St. Louis County Democrat, spoke against the measure for 10 hours when the Senate debated last week. She says the legislation would hinder a discrimination victim's ability to get justice in court.

Republicans, including sponsoring Sen. Brad Lager, say the legislation would merely bring the state in line with federal laws.

The Senate bill now goes to the House, which endorsed similar legislation in a close vote earlier this week.