Third Judge Blocks Lee’s Mask Opt-Out In Schools

Another judge has blocked Governor Bill Lee’s executive order allowing parents to opt their children out of school mask mandates. This time the judge is in Williamson County. U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw issued his ruling late Friday. Crenshaw’s ruling joins rulings by two other judges putting a halt to the governor’s order in certain counties. All three lawsuits make the same claim that the order violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits the exclusion of students with disabilities from public educational programs and activities. The CDC says that children with certain disabilities are more vulnerable to serious illness or death if they get COVID-19. Lee stated that he couldn’t talk about the specific litigation but pointed out that there had been multiple lawsuits against mask mandates. This latest judge’s ruling is in effect until next Tuesday Oct. 5…that is the same day Lee’s order is set to expire. The governor has not said if he will extend that order.