A county district court in Oklahoma issued a temporary injunction against a law that bans mask mandates in public schools.
The law went into effect on July 1 and was designed to “greatly restrict mask mandates and forbid COVID vaccine passports in educational institutions,” according to a June 3 statement from the Oklahoma Senate.
Judge Natalie Mai on Wednesday issued the limited temporary injunction of S.B. 658 because the mask mandate ban applied to public schools but not private schools. The injunction will not take effect until next week, and the judge added that any school must provide an opt-out option for parents of students who desire to not have their students wearing masks in classrooms, local ABC affiliate KOCO reported.
“This is a victory for parental choice, personal responsibility, and the rule of law. I have been clear from the beginning that parents should have the right to make decisions about the health and education of their children,” a spokesperson for Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt told the Washington Examiner Wednesday.
OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR SAYS HE HAS NO PLANS TO USE EMERGENCY ORDER FOR SCHOOL MASK MANDATE
Today’s ruling on SB658 in Oklahoma District Court is a victory for parental choice, personal responsibility and the rule of law.
I have been clear from the beginning that parents should have the right to make decisions about the health and education of their children.
— Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) September 1, 2021
Oklahoma health experts have urged Stitt to make an emergency declaration, which is the only way for the governor to impose mask mandates under the recent legislation, according to the Oklahoman. A spokesperson for the governor said in late July that Stitt “has no plans to declare a state of emergency.”
The judge’s decision on Wednesday temporarily allows schools to impose a requirement but leaves the decision for individual students to wear masks in the hands of parents and guardians.
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Mai said she does not have the power to decide policy, noting that if the law treated public and private schools equally, the law would have withstood any temporary injunction.
Oklahoma State Medical Association President Dr. Mary Clarke issued a statement on Wednesday regarding Mai’s decision, saying, “We are pleased with the outcome of today’s hearing.”
“However, this is just a first step to ensuring our schools maintain local control and can choose the best path for their students, faculty, and staff,” Clarke added.
The Washington Examiner contacted the Oklahoma County District Court but did not immediately receive a response.
