State to appeal judge's ruling on new law

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The state plans to appeal a judge's ruling tossing out a law placing many new restrictions on strip clubs.

Circuit Judge Richard Callahan said provisions of the law, which would have gone into effect Sunday, violate state constitutional limits on amending a bill beyond its original purpose and First Amendment protections of nude dancing.

"The state may not limit persons of majority age from engaging in lawful expressive conduct protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution without a substantial and direct connection to adverse secondary effects, a showing that has not been made," Callahan said in the declaratory judgment issued Friday.

Monday, the attorney general's office said it planned to appeal the decision.

Sponsoring Sen. Matt Bartle, R-Lee's Summit, said he was disappointed in the ruling but not too concerned yet.