Kentucky lawmakers vote to lift statewide mask mandate for public schools

Kentucky lawmakers voted to lift a mask mandate in state-wide public schools on Thursday night after a moving debate.

“This bill will give back local control to the districts – without forcing them to do it, without forcing them not to do it,” Republican State Senator Max Wise, sponsor of the bill, said during the debate. . “They make the decision of what they think is best for their constituents in their communities.”

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed parts of the bill, which gives local school boards the power to make masking decisions, but was quickly overturned by the Republican-led legislature. The bill also affects child care centers.

Its passage came at the end of a special session called by the governor to deal with a wave of coronavirus that has engulfed hospitals in the state.

“This bill… is truly a life and death bill,” Democratic Senator Reggie Thomas said during the debate. “If we do away with the mask warrants, then we are putting all children and all school staff at risk. “

KENTUCKY GOVERNMENT SUFFERS LEGAL DEFAULT TO TACKLE RISE IN COVID

Republican Representative John Blanton said the bill removes a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

“We are not removing masks from your children today,” he said. “Masks are still part of the tools provided to every school district in this state.”

The bill also seeks to keep children in the classroom as much as possible by limiting distance education to one particular school or classroom – instead of the entire district – in the event of an outbreak. .

Another bill passed Thursday night bans mask warrants statewide, also leaving that power to local governments and businesses.

Beshear warned Thursday that only 90 adult intensive care beds were available statewide. He noted that nearly two-thirds of hospitals in Kentucky are facing a critical staff shortage, and more than 300 members of the Kentucky National Guard will visit 21 hospitals to assist healthcare workers.

Beshear called the masks “safe” and “effective” and recently said he believed another mask warrant was needed to deal with the current wave.

The governor has issued statewide warrants in the past.

While Beshear was previously allowed to use his emergency powers to issue health orders unilaterally, a state Supreme Court ruling last month gave lawmakers the power to pass laws limiting his power.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The legislature also passed a measure to allocate more than $ 69 million in federal funds to efforts related to the pandemic. The funds are aimed at increasing COVID-19 testing for health care providers, schools, health services and correctional facilities. The governor enacted the measure, his office said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.