Hutchinson spokeswoman Shealyn Sowers said afterward that the specifics of the proposed change are still being developed.
LAW PASSED THIS YEAR
Act 1002 of 2021, sponsored by Sen. Trent Garner, R-El Dorado, bars state and local governments, including public schools, and their officials from mandating the wearing of masks, face shields or other face covering. The law doesn't apply apply to a face-covering requirement imposed by a private business; state-owned or state-controlled health care facility; or a facility operated by the Department of Corrections or by the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services.
On March 30, Hutchinson announced that he was lifting the mask mandate, which was imposed in 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.