JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Senate Democrats engaged in a lengthy filibuster Wednesday to block a Republican-back bill aimed at rolling back a voter-approved sick leave law.

HB 567, sponsored by Rep. Sherri Gallick (R-Belton), would repeal several key provisions of Proposition A, a measure that voters passed in November to expand paid sick leave benefits for workers across the state.

The Democratic-led filibuster stretched more than nine hours, beginning Wednesday and continuing into 1 a.m. Thursday before the Senate adjourned, according to the Missouri Independent.

Under Proposition A, which is currently in effect, most employees of private businesses are entitled to accrue one hour of “earned paid sick time” for every 30 hours worked. Accrual is set to begin May 1, while employers were also required to post notice of their sick leave policies by April 15. The measure also included annual minimum wage increases tied to inflation.

As currently in effect, Proposition A was passed with a 58% voter approval. However, it is now facing efforts in the legislature to overturn or weaken it.

The Missouri Secretary of State’s Office previously told FOX 2 that while voters can pass statutory ballot measures, the state has no guaranteed statutory protections to prevent lawmakers from challenging, modifying or repealing voter-approved propositions through standard legislative action.

According to the Missouri Independent, some Republican lawmakers argue that the sick leave mandate creates a burdensome, one-size-fits-all policy for businesses. They’ve also questioned whether voters fully understood the measure when they approved it.

Meanwhile, Missouri Senate Democrats, on social media platform X, acknowledged the filibuster as an effort from Democrats who are “fighting back” to protect what they describe as essential rights for working families.

HB 567 has already cleared the Missouri House, and with Senate approval, it would head to the governor’s desk. Missouri’s ongoing legislative session ends on May 16.