Minnesota parents sue Gov. Walz over lack of mask mandate in schools
A group of Minnesota parents plans to file a lawsuit against Gov. Tim Walz (D) and the state over the lack of a mask mandate in public schools, the Star-Tribune reported.
In a lawsuit filed in the Ramsey County District Court on Friday, parents advocacy group Parents Advocating for Safe Schools (PASS) want Walz to declare a peacetime emergency and executive order on implementing mandates in schools.
PASS alleges that Walz has violated the student rights and has been discriminatory against students who have disabilities, according to the Star-Tribune.
"We believe that mandatory masking is essential to the safety, health and well-being of our children, as well as staff members at schools, and those visiting school sites," Loucresie Rupert, a doctor and one of the parents in the lawsuit said in the PASS statement.
Video: Parents Sue Gov. Walz For Not Imposing School Mask Mandate (CBS Minnesota)
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Walz had the power to enforce emergency COVID restrictions and safety measures for schools, but now school districts can enforce their own COVID mandates and protocols during this school year, the Star-Tribune reported.
This comes as with the highly contagious delta variant causing spikes in COVID infections, some school districts in Minnesota have opted not to enforce mask mandates in their schools, even though it is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Gov. Walz's spokesperson Teddy Tschann told the Tribune in a statement that the governor will always prioritize the health and safety of students in his state., adding that the office is reviewing the complaint from the parents.
The Hill has reached out to Gov.Walz's office for comment.