An Arkansas House committee failed to advance two bills that would have amended the state’s current ban on mask mandates, likely ending the chance of passing before the end of the special session. By a series of voice votes Thursday, members of the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor did not pass either House Bill 1003 or House Bill 1004. Both would have given school boards the authority to require the wearing of masks.
House Bill 1004, which the committee considered after over two hours of public testimony, would give public school boards or the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school a broader ability to mandate the wearing of masks, face shield or other coverings to "reduce the spread of infectious, contagious and communicable diseases."
Rep. Tippi McCullough (far left) presents House Bill 1004 to the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor committee
CREDIT ARKANSAS HOUSE