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House sustains governor's veto on bill banning school mask mandates
Summary
Members debated HB 1093, which would bar school boards from requiring masks; proponents cited new scientific doubts and parental choice, while opponents warned of limiting local response to health emergencies. The override attempt failed.
The House debated the governor's veto of HB 1093, legislation that would prohibit school boards from imposing mandatory mask policies for students. Supporters cited recent testimony and released material they said raised questions about the evidence base for mask mandates and argued for parental decision-making. Representative Coritello pointed to testimony attributed to a federal witness as raising "reasonable doubt regarding the effectiveness of masks."
Opponents, including Representative Balboni and others, defended local control and the authority of school boards to respond to health emergencies in their communities. They urged maintaining the veto, saying local school districts and public-health experts should have flexibility to act in response to evolving conditions. During debate members also discussed the accountability and limits of state action during the pandemic.
After floor debate the House held a roll-call vote and sustained the governor's veto; the bill did not become law.
