In the photo above is Rep. Schmidt speaking on the House floor regarding transgender women in sports. (Photo from Ohio House of Representatives)
State Reps. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) and Mike Loychik (R-Bazetta) announced on August 25 they have introduced House Bill 400, which would prohibit public schools from mandating students to wear a mask. The bill introduction comes as statewide concerns from parents have heightened as several public schools have implemented school mask mandates for children.
The Loveland City School District has mandated mask wearing for teachers, staff, all visitors, and all students below 7th grade when inside buildings. The 7-12 students are exempt from Loveland’s mask mandate.
“I’ve seen and heard constituent concerns across my district from these mask orders from public schools receiving public taxpayer dollars,” said Loychik. “Through this bill, we are reiterating their opposition as it should be up to the discretion of parents on whether their kids should wear a mask or not.”
House Bill 400 only pertains to students wearing masks and does not prohibit faculty, staff, and guests from wearing masks or from the school imposing a mandate on them, according to Schmidt’s press release about her sponsorship.
Schmidt is sponsoring the bill amid local residents upset over certain schools implementing student mask mandates.
“I’m disheartened that local school boards are mandating masks for students within the 65th House District and across our state,” said Schmidt. “I anticipate working with Rep. Loychik and several interested parties closely in the coming weeks to move this bill forward in the Legislature to address these rising concerns of Ohioans.”
The bill currently has over 20 cosponsors and awaits its first committee hearing.
