Gov. Eric Greitens on Wednesday ordered lawmakers back to the Capitol next Monday for their second special session in a month.
Greitens wants the Legislature to work on abortion policies, including looking at a St. Louis ordinance banning discrimination based on abortions and pregnancies.
"I'm pro-life, and I believe that we need to defend life and promote a culture of life here in the state of Missouri," Greitens said in a news release.
The Republican governor wants lawmakers to consider new abortion regulations, including annual clinic inspections.
"Missouri is a state that is strongly pro-life, and (the House) has consistently voted in overwhelming numbers for measures that protect the lives of the unborn," House Speaker Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, said in a statement Wednesday evening. "The members of the Missouri House are ready to return to work to uphold the values of Missouri families and to advance policy solutions that will continue to make Missouri a state where women's health is a priority and precious, innocent life is protected."
But House Minority Leader Gail McCann Beatty, D-Kansas City, said: "Special sessions are supposed to be called only on 'extraordinary occasions' when immediate action is necessary. The governor's failure to enact his agenda during the regular session falls well short of that high standard."
State Sen. Bob Onder, R-Lake St. Louis, supported Greitens' call.
"I know the governor weighs very carefully the decision to call the General Assembly back to special session," Onder said. "But I believe that no greater issue fits the category of extraordinary than the safety of Missourians and the protection of life and the protection of our fundamental rights as Americans."
Missouri Right to Life and other anti-abortion advocates also lauded Greitens' decision to call another session.
While largely symbolic, the St. Louis ordinance bans employers from firing, refusing to hire or disciplining women because they have an abortion, take contraception, use artificial insemination or become pregnant while not married. It also bans such discrimination in housing.
Greitens said Wednesday that ordinance makes St. Louis "an abortion sanctuary city."
A group of St. Louis Catholics has sued the city, arguing the ordinance could force employers or landlords to act against their religious beliefs.
NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri Executive Director Alison Dreith said in a statement: "This emergency meeting of the state legislature is an appalling example of out-of-touch priorities. Make no mistake about it, the intent behind the governor's actions is to shame women for their personal medical decisions and make basic reproductive health care harder to access."
Greitens' first special session, two weeks ago, dealt with utility rates for steel and aluminum plants.