Montana’s Republican governor introduced a rule Tuesday that encourages schools in the state to take “parental concerns” into account when determining if students will be required to wear masks for in-person learning.
Following several schools issuing mask mandates, Gov. Greg Gianforte said parents deserve the opportunity to determine if they are necessary.
He urged schools to listen to Montana parents and give them the say to have their children opt-out of mask mandates due to physical and mental health, moral convictions, developmental needs, and religious beliefs.
FLORIDA WITHHOLDING SCHOOL DISTRICTS’ FUNDING OVER MASKING DISPUTE
The rules were introduced after the Education Department announced Monday that it is investigating five Republican-led states blocking local school districts from requiring masks to protect against the coronavirus, claiming the policies discriminate against students with health conditions and disabilities.
Adam Meier, the director of the state’s department of public health, said in a statement that his office “would encourage schools to take into account all of these factors and implement any mitigation strategies in the least restrictive means as possible to maximize learning outcomes for Montana children.”
In-school masking is “based on inconclusive research,” Gianforte said in a statement.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
It could adversely affect children’s “health, well being, and development,” the governor also said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people, including children, wear masks to slow the spread of COVID-19.
