11 Alive: 'Unmask Georgia Students Act' passes Georgia General Assembly
Senate Bill 514 has passed the Georgia House, advancing the legislation out of the state's general assembly and to Gov. Brain Kemp's desk. The bill would allow parents to exclude their children from mask mandates in public schools.
“Parents are the best decision-makers when it comes to the health and education of their children,” Dixon said previously to the Senate Education and Youth Committee. “This legislation ensures that those rights are not infringed upon by misguided policies.”
Capitol Beat: General Assembly passes ban on mask mandates for Georgia students
Georgia school officials will not be allowed to require a student to wear a mask if his or her parents object under legislation that gained final passage in the state House of Representatives Friday.
The bill, which cleared the Republican-controlled chamber 93-52 along party lines, was introduced on behalf of Gov. Brian Kemp, who has fought against mask mandates imposed by local governments and school systems since the coronavirus pandemic struck Georgia two years ago.
CBS 46: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signs Unmask Georgia Students Act
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed the Unmask Georgia Students Act during a ceremony Tuesday.
“We’re taking another important step to make sure our students are not the victims of those who continue to play pandemic politics. The Unmask Georgia Students Act guarantees the rights of parents to make healthcare decisions in the best interest of their children,” said Kemp.
The law will be in effect for the next five years but can be suspended in the event of a public emergency.
11 Alive: Gov. Kemp signs bill to let Georgia parents reject kids' masks in schools
Gov. Brian Kemp has officially signed off on a bill which would let parents opt their children out of public school mask mandates.
“Parents are the best decision makers when it comes to the health and education of their children,” said Rep. Lauren McDonald III, a Cumming Republican who presented the bill. “This legislation ensures that those rights are not infringed by misguided policies.”
“Nothing in this bill prohibits parents from sending their children to school in a mask that actually works,” said Rep. Mark Newton, an Augusta Republican and emergency room physician.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Kemp signs bill letting parents opt kids out of school mask mandates
Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday signed legislation that allows parents who don’t want their children wearing masks to opt out of any school district mandates.
“This will ensure that parents have the final say when it comes to the health and well-being of their child,” Kemp said before signing the bill. “It is a common sense measure that puts parents in charge — not the government.”
The Republican Kemp on Tuesday signed Senate Bill 514, which would let parents opt their children out of school mask mandates for the next five years.
Proclaiming that “it’s time for a complete return to normalcy for Georgia students” as he touted his record of issuing few restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Kemp said parents should be able to make key decisions for their own child’s learning.
Patch: Gov. Brian Kemp signs 'Unmask Georgia Students Act' into law
Under the law, parents will not be required to provide a reason or any certification of their child's health or education status to be exempt from masking.
Students who choose not to wear face masks at school cannot face disciplinary or academic consequences, according to the law.
Original source found here.
