JEFFERSON CITY -- Attorney General Chris Koster is hoping to use the next legislative session to bring attention to the issue of domestic violence.

To that end he's using an old legislative trick -- the interim task force -- to study the state's domestic violence laws and suggest possible changes next year.

Koster, a Democrat, has set up meetings in St. Louis, Columbia and Kansas City in September to study the issue. Critics might note that at the first meeting at least, the only lawmakers who will apparently be in attendance are Democrats.

Koster spokesman Nanci Gonder said that Koster did invite Sen. Scott Rupp, R-Wentzville, to the Sept. 7 meeting, but that he had a conflict.

"The reason for creating the task force is noting that it has been 30 years since the legal framework was created, and since then there has not been a comprehensive look at the laws and how they are working. The goal is to identify improvements to Missouri's laws," Gonder said.

The first meeting will take place Sept. 7 from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m., at the Eric P. Newman Education Center, 320 S. Euclid Avenue (behind Children's Hospital). Lawmakers who will be in attendence include Senators Joan Bray and Robin Wright-Jones, and Representatives Tishaura Jones, Chris Kelly, Margo McNeil, Stacey Newman, Jeff Roorda, and Jill Schupp, according to a news release from Koster's office.