Virginia Senate approves amendment to bill allowing parental choice over masks
The Democrat-controlled Senate chamber voted 29 to 9 in favor of the amendment Tuesday, creating the option for parents to opt-out from school mask mandates, without giving an excuse and regardless of rules adopted by local school boards.
“In an overwhelming bipartisan show of support, the Senate of Virginia took a significant step today for parents and children. I applaud Senator Petersen’s amendment to give parents the right to decide whether their children should wear masks in schools,” said Gov. Glenn Youngkin, praising in a Tuesday press statement the “overwhelming” adoption of Petersen’s amendment to SB739.
“In the last week, we have seen Democrat-led states like Oregon, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Delaware move away from universal mask mandates in schools. I am pleased that there is bipartisan support for doing the same in Virginia. This shows that when we work across the aisle, we put Virginians first. I look forward to signing this bill when it comes to my desk,” he continued.
Governor Youngkin Praises Overwhelming Adoption of Senator Chap Petersen’s Amendment to SB739
Victory for parents and children statewide
Governor Glenn Youngkin today released the following statement on State Senator Chap Petersen’s Amendment to Senator Siobhan Dunnavant’s SB739, adopted 29-9, creating a parental opt-out from local school mask mandates:
“In an overwhelming bipartisan show of support, the Senate of Virginia took a significant step today for parents and children. I applaud Senator Petersen’s amendment to give parents the right to decide whether their children should wear masks in schools. In the last week, we have seen Democrat-led states like Oregon, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Delaware move away from universal mask mandates in schools. I am pleased that there is bipartisan support for doing the same in Virginia. This shows that when we work across the aisle, we put Virginians first. I look forward to signing this bill when it comes to my desk,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin.
