Maryland school board votes to end masks mandate for students

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Maryland State Board of Education voted Tuesday to allow local school districts to decide whether students must wear face coverings in school, sending the proposal to end an emergency order to a legislative committee to make a final decision.

Citing improvements in COVID-19 health metrics, the board voted 12-2 to rescind the order on March 1. Still, the Maryland General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review has the last say on the matter.

Gov. Larry Hogan, who has been urging the board to end the policy, praised the decision and called on the legislature's AELR panel to move swiftly.

“This action aligns with the data and the science, the recommendation of the State Superintendent of Schools, and the guidance of medical professionals across the country,” the Republican governor said in a statement.

Read more: https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2022/02/22/maryland-board-votes-end-masks-mandate-students-gov-larry-hogan-aelr/6895721001/