A Florida judge on Friday blocked Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis‘ executive order prohibiting mask mandates in schools, saying he overstepped his authority.
Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper ruled in favor of a group of parents who filed a lawsuit against the governor, arguing his order is unconstitutional and puts their children’s safety at risk if there is a coronavirus outbreak at school.
The July 30 order imposes penalties on school districts that do not allow parents to opt their children out of a school mask mandate. Ten school districts, which educate slightly more than half of the 2.8 Florida public school students in the state, have defied his order.
The judge said during a virtual hearing that Mr. DeSantis‘ order “does not meet constitutional muster because such action exceeds the authority given to the defendants under the Parents Bill of Rights Law passed by the Florida legislature.”
Mr. DeSantis has said he plans to file an appeal if the judge ruled against him.
• This story is based in part on wire service reports.
