Today, the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (AELR) approved emergency regulations to return masking policies for public schools to local decision making.
At the February 25 virtual hearing of the AELR committee, members approved State Board of Education emergency regulations to return the masking in schools policies back to local boards of education in lieu of a statewide policy. The State Board of Education approved emergency regulations to do so earlier this week on February 22.
The committee hearing started with comments from State Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury and State Board President Clarance Crawford. Choudhury noted that he came before the committee to end the regulations because they “did the right thing,” and “conditions are right.” Deliberation and the ultimate vote came after a period of public testimony.
Now, county authorities will be able to decide most appropriate masking policies for school facilities based on local COVID-19 precautions and considerations, and local sentiment.
Helpful links
- The February 22 State Board of Education meeting agenda and materials are available online and video is available on the the Maryland Department of Education’s YouTube channel.
- The February 25 AELR Committee meeting agenda is available online and video is available on the committee’s YouTube channel.
Prior Conduit Street coverage on masking in schools:
- State Board of Education Votes to Life Mask Mandate, Legislative Committee to Make Final Decision
- MGA Legislative Extends School Mask Mandate, Adds Off Ramps
- State Board of Education Approves Off Ramps for Masks in Schools
- State Board of Education Asks MSDE to Create Emergency Regs with Off Ramps for Masking in Schools
- State to Consider Next Steps for Masks in Schools at Dec. 1 Meeting
- State Department of Education Considers Masking in Schools
- Legislative Committee Approves Masking for All Public Schools
- State School Board Endorses Masking to Mitigate COVID Transmission in Schools
