By Valerie Newberg
Executive Summary
Since March 2020, over half of the states have taken action to implement or limit mask mandates in schools. Seventeen states implemented mask mandates in schools, all of which have expired. Additionally, 12 states banned local school districts from implementing mask mandates. Six of those states are enforcing their bans, while six others are on hold because of litigation – Florida, Georgia, Montana, Oklahoma, Utah and Virginia. As of Aug. 1, 2022, no states have an active mandate, so existing requirements for the use of face coverings in schools are being enforced at the local or district level.
Method of Research
CSG conducted a 50-state scan of enacted legislation and executive orders on mask mandates in schools. This scan was conducted by searching key terms including “mask mandates in schools” and “mask mandate bans in schools,” among others. The specifications of state policies implementing or prohibiting mask mandates in schools can be found in the tables below.
Findings and Analysis
Seventeen states mandated the use of masks in schools using public health orders and executive orders. The effective period of these mandates spanned from 2020-2022. As of Aug. 1, 2022, all had expired.
End Date of State School Mask Mandates
State | Mask mandate end date |
California | March 12, 2022 |
Connecticut | Feb. 28, 2022 |
Delaware | March 1, 2022 |
Hawaii | Aug. 1, 2022 |
Illinois | Feb. 28, 2022 |
Kentucky | Sept. 9, 2021 |
Louisiana | Oct. 1, 2021 |
Maryland | March 1, 2022 |
Massachusetts | Feb. 28, 2022 |
Nevada | Feb. 10, 2022 |
New Jersey | March 7, 2022 |
New Mexico | Feb. 17, 2022 |
New York | March 7, 2022 |
Oregon | March 12, 2022 |
Pennsylvania | Dec. 21, 2021 |
Rhode Island | March 4, 2022 |
Washington | March 12, 2022 |
In states that prohibited local districts from enforcing mask mandates in schools, the policy came from executive and public health orders or legislation.
- Seven states – Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Utah –enacted legislation.
- In South Carolina, a Budget Proviso was used.
- Four states – Florida, Montana, Texas and Virginia – issued executive orders.
- Pending litigation has prevented the enforcement of these prohibitions in Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
Enacted State Legislation and Executive Orders Banning School Mask Mandates
State | Bans on mask mandates |
Arizona | House Bill 2616* |
Arkansas | Act 1002* |
Florida | Executive Order 21-175 |
Georgia | Senate Bill 514 |
Iowa | House File 847* |
Montana | MAR 37-960 |
Oklahoma | Senate Bill 658 |
South Carolina | Budget Proviso 1.108* |
Tennessee | House Bill 9077* |
Texas | Executive Order 24* |
Utah | Senate Bill 195 |
Virginia | Executive Order 2 |
Additional resources:
Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities State by State School Mask Mandates