This morning, the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (AELR) approved emergency regulations to require masks in all of Maryland’s public schools.

The AELR Committee, which met for several hours today to consider the regulations, voted 10-7 to require masks to be worn in all of the states’ public school facilities to mitigate transmission of COVID-19 and the Delta variant.

On August 26, the State Board of Education endorsed the emergency regulations, which were then transmitted to AELR for consideration after a mandatory waiting period.

Members of the joint committee heard from State Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury and State School Board President Clarance Crawford on the school board’s decision approval of the emergency regulations. Members of the public also testified before the committee.

The mandate, which goes into effect immediately, covers all public school buildings and facilities. Prior to today, only Carrol and Somerset Counties remained without mask-related regulations.

The regulations could last for up to 180 days, but as the state’s COVID situation evolves, they could be revoked sooner if Maryland’s COVID data improves. Crawford noted during today’s hearing that the State School Board plans to reassess the situation on a monthly basis.

According to state data, several school districts throughout the state have experienced positive cases and quarantines. This data is available and updated on the state’s coronavirus website.

Video of the AELR hearing and voting on the emergency regulations is available on the General Assembly’s YouTube channel.

For more information on the policy, visit the school board’s website.