ATLANTA, Ga. (WSAV) — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 514, or the Unmask Georgia Students Act, into law in the state capital Tuesday, just days before the close of the 2022 legislative session.
The Unmask Georgia Students Act allows parents to choose whether their child should wear a mask at school, rather than leaving it up to school districts.
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“This will ensure that parents have the final say when it comes to their child’s health and well-being. For the past two years, Georgia has led the nation in standing up for our citizens’ right to choose how best to protect themselves and their loved ones,” Gov. Kemp said.
However, groups like the Georgia Association of Educators have expressed concern that teachers could leave the profession with this new law.
“The CDC continues to recommend that we wear masks in our schools and our classrooms and on our buses to protect each other and ourselves. It is of great concern that any mask requirements that school districts may implement to protect the health and safety of students and educators are now becoming less effective,” said Lisa Morgan, president of the Georgia Association of Educators.
The governor accused some districts of ignoring the science and said Georgia’s COVID-19 numbers have improved significantly.
“We know there are educators who have immunocompromised health conditions or who have family members who are very concerned about the impact of COVID-19 should they become infected,” Morgan continued.
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“We pioneered getting our kids back in class because the data and the science has always said they should be there,” Kemp explained.
Gov. Kemp says students shouldn’t be forced to be masked throughout the school day and instead give families that choice. But some lawmakers say it should be a matter for schools, not parents, to prevent outbreaks and keep students and teachers safe.
Senate Bill 514 would prevent schools and teachers from academically punishing students based on parents’ mask decision.