COMMITTEES APPROPRIATIONS. CHAIRMAN JUDICIARY 8c CIVIL 8c CRIMINALJURISPRUDENCE GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTMENTS JOINT COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILTFY, CHAIRMAN ATE JOINT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE JEFFERSON CITY OVERSIGHT CHAIRMAN CAPITOL OFFICE STATE CAPITOL, ROOM 416 201 W. CAPITOL AVE. JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65101 TELEPHONE (573) 751-3931 FAX (573) 75141320 1' Mr. . ?41- .T I .1 3 . October 30, 2015 KURT SCHAEFER 19TH DISTRICT Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin Office of Chancellor University of Missouri 105 Jesse Hall Columbia, Missouri 65211 Dear Chancellor Loftin: It has come to my attention that there is a research study currently taking place at Planned Parenthood?s St. Louis facility which the University of Missouri Campus Institutional Review Board approved on April 29, 2015, with the express benefit of helping ?Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri improve its services to better meet the needs of women seeking abortions." See attached. This study purports to "gain a better understanding of the abortion decision-making process,? as well as the effects of Missouri's 72-hour waiting period on the decision to have an abortion. The principal investigator is a student at the University of Missouri School of Social Work, and Dr. Marjorie Sable, the Director of the School of Social Work and a board member and Secretary of Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri, serves as the adviser for the study. However, Planned Parenthood research staff will collect data from over 200 women at the St. Louis facility, and all information produced by the study is to be stored at the St. Louis facility. Additionally, all communications from participants concerning the study are directed to the principal investigator at the St. Louis facility?s address. This is a concerning revelation considering the University's recent troubling connections to Planned Parenthood. According to Section 188.205, shall be unlawful for any public funds to be expended for the purpose of performing or assisting an abortion, not necessary to save the life ofthe mother, or for the purpose ofencouraging or counseling a woman to have an abortion not necessary to save her life.? Identical language also prohibits such activity by public employees and public facilities. See Sections 188.210 and 188.215, It is difficult to understand how a research study approved by the University, conducted by a University student, and overseen by the Director of the School of Social Work at the University can be perceived as anything but an expenditure of public funds to aid Planned. Parenthood in improving "its services to better meet the needs of women seeking abortions? in clear violation of Missouri law. Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin October 30, 2015 Page Two This study does not appear to be designed as an objective, unbiased research project, but rather as a marketing aid for Planned Parenthood?one that is funded, in part or in whole, by taxpayer doltars. In order for the Committee to determine the extent to which the University of Missouri?s public funds, employees, or facilities were or are currently being used in this study, please provide me with copies of: the complete research study protocol for IRB project number 200068; 0 any communication in the possession of the Institutional Review Board or any other entity, employee, or agent ofthe University regarding this study; and 0 any documents, correspondence, or communications in the possession of the University or its agents or employees regarding any funds used or to be used for this study. Please provide any documents responsive to this letter no later than 4 pm. Friday, November 6, 2015, to the Senate Administrator's Office, Room 324 w- State Capitol. Sincerely, WM Kurt Schaefer Chairman Senate interim Committee on Sanctity of Life KS:lmb C: Senate Interim Committee on the Sanctity of Life Members Senator Ron Richard House Committee on Ways and Means Chair House Committee on Children and Famiiy Chair