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Judge weighs challenge to Arizona ban on school mask mandate

Virus Outbreak School Masks
Posted at 7:16 AM, Sep 13, 2021
and last updated 2021-09-13 22:21:37-04

PHOENIX — A judge is considering whether to overturn several new Arizona laws that restrict the power of cities, counties and school districts to impose COVID-19 restrictions like mask mandates.

She heard arguments in the lawsuit Monday. A coalition of educators, parents and children’s advocacy groups argue that the provisions were unconstitutionally tucked into several unrelated budget bills.

They say the highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19 makes the need for masks more pressing.

A lawyer for the state attorney general says how the Legislature writes measures is a question for lawmakers, not the courts.

The laws also prohibit universities from requiring vaccinations and bar requirements that people to show they're inoculated to get into businesses.