Thu Feb 17, 2022 – 2:27 pm EST
RICHMOND, Virginia (LifeSiteNews) — Virginia’s new Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Wednesday signed a bill prohibiting school districts in Virginia from requiring students to wear masks in school.
The legislation marks a crucial win for Youngkin, who won his 2021 gubernatorial campaign partly by prioritizing school issues like masking which had become a major flashpoint for parents.
“It is my distinct privilege and honor to be able to sign Senate Bill 739 into law in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Youngkin said during the signing ceremony February 16.
After signing the bill, Youngkin handed the pen to a 10-year-old Fairfax County girl who had been suspended nine times for refusing to wear a mask in class.
BREAKING: Virginia Gov. Youngkin signs bill banning school mask mandates pic.twitter.com/zUkfxIqIQf
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) February 16, 2022
The new legislation will enshrine into law the right of parents over school officials to decide whether or not children must wear masks in school.
Local news outlet WTOP reported that while “[u]nder regular rules, the bill wouldn’t go into effect until July 1,” following the passage of an amendment forwarded by Youngkin and approved
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