"By making it a higher threshold, what we are saying is that the state of Missouri is going to tolerate a certain amount of discrimination," he said. "That is a mistake."

Webber offered an amendment that would have added sexual orientation to the types of discrimination that are prohibited under state law, but the amendment was defeated.

Supporters said the legislation simply makes Missouri statutes match with federal civil rights laws. Sen. Brad Lager, the bill's sponsor, said in a statement that the bill encourages job creation because the higher standard of proof makes businesses less susceptible to discrimination lawsuits.

"Unfortunately, Missouri courts have drastically changed Missouri employment law over the years," said Lager, R-Savannah. "It is important that the people of Missouri, through their elected representatives, ultimately shape our laws."

The bill, approved last month 25-9 in the Senate, now goes to Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon. The governor planned to give the bill a "comprehensive review," said his spokesman, Scott Holste.

The legislation was one of six pro-business changes that the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry has lobbied legislators to make this session.

Under the legislation, plaintiffs could collect back pay with interest, but additional money damages would be limited. The caps range from $50,000 for a company with six to 100 employees, to a maximum of $300,000 for companies with 500 or more employees.

Anti-discrimination advocates called the caps "devastating," and some have said the limits could be interpreted as a putting a price on discrimination.

Rep. Sylvester Taylor, D-St. Louis County, questioned whether the families of discrimination victims would accept a limit on the amount they could recover.

"How would you feel if it was your family?" he asked during House floor debate Wednesday. "How much would you want that lawsuit resolved for?"

Rep. Kevin Elmer, R-Nixa, said after the vote that lawmakers included the caps to provide victims justice while giving businesses a chance to correct mistakes.

"The idea is to punish them without driving them out," he said. "If you do it enough times, you're going to be driven out."

After the vote, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Daniel Mehan praised the money caps for both victims and whistleblowers, saying in statement that not having the limits in state law has led to "inconsistent" rulings by state courts.

He said the limits would give businesses more certainty, which would improve the state's economy.

"Rather than investing money in frivolous lawsuits, employers will be able to invest more money in creating jobs," he said after the vote.