Iowa Celebrates As Governor Bans Mask Mandates in Schools, Cities and Counties

Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa signed legislation Thursday banning the implementation of mask mandates in public schools, cities and counties across the state.

House File 847 bans school districts statewide from imposing mandates for students, faculty and staff, the Des Moines Register reported.

HF 847 additionally prevents local lawmakers from imposing mask mandates that are “more stringent than a policy imposed by the state.”

Iowa’s brief statewide mask mandate ended in February.

The Iowa House passed the bill Wednesday along party lines in a 53-35 vote. In the Iowa Senate, the bill passed 29-17, also along party lines.

After initially signaling she would support the bill, Reynolds later enthusiastically signed HF 847 into law early Thursday morning.

“The state of Iowa is putting parents back in control of their child’s education and taking greater steps to protect the rights of all Iowans to make their own health care decisions,” Reynolds said in a statement to the Register.

“I am proud to be a governor of a state that values personal responsibility and individual liberties. I want to thank the Iowa Legislature for their quick work in bringing this bill to my desk so that it can be signed into law.”