Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law just after midnight Thursday that immediately made it illegal to require masks in schools. It also prevents cities and counties from having mask mandates that affect private property.
Iowa Capital Dispatch
New CDC guidance says fully vaccinated people no longer need face coverings outdoors, except in crowds. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
After midnight and surrounded by a cheering, unmasked crowd, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law a bill that forbids Iowa schools, counties and cities from requiring face coverings.
The law takes effect immediately. Iowa schools may not mandate masks for students, employees or members of the public. Any cities or counties that still mandate mask use in businesses must lift those restrictions, although individual business owners may still require masks at their discretion.
Republican advocates for the bill said constituents were eager to take off their masks and “get back to normal again.”
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Gov. Kim Reynolds is expected to sign a bill (HF 813) given final approval in the Iowa Senate that creates a new pathway to establish charter schools in Iowa.
The proposal would allow a private founding group, operating independently from the local school board, to apply to the State Board of Education to open a new charter school. If approved for a five-year contract, state funding would be provided to the new school through the local public district based on the number of students who enroll in the charter.
Sen. Amy Sinclair, R-Allerton, said she supports the plan as a way to fill gaps in the public school system.
That the U.S. or state of Iowa is fundamentally or systemically racist or sexist. That an individual, by virtue of the individual s race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously.
That anyone should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish or any other form of psychological distress because of their race or sex.
The bill would still allow a provider of diversity training to respond to questions on those topics and wouldn t prohibit discussions as part of a larger course of academic instruction. An amendment that the Senate adopted Wednesday would also specify that the bill doesn t prevent curricula that teach on topics like sexism, slavery, racial oppression or racial discrimination.