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A United States Court of Appeals ruled a preliminary injunction on Iowa’s law banning mask mandates in schools across the state is too broad and must be narrowed.The 2-1 decision came Tuesday, weeks after a temporary injunction was appealed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Director of the Department of Education, Ann Lebo.The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit filed by a group of parents and the advocacy group, ARC of Iowa and the ACLU. The lawsuit was aimed to strike down an Iowa law that prevents local school districts from putting mask mandates in place, arguing the law violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, and kept students who were in danger of contracting COVID-19 from being in school.In the ruling, the court said an earlier court injunction was too broad and did not account for schools that don’t have students with disabilities who need mask accommodations.”Further, to the extent that some schools in Iowa do not encounter anyone whose disabilities require the schools to make others wear masks, Section 280.31 may prohibit those schools from imposing mask requirements without violating federal disability law,” Judge Benton said in his ruling.”This sweeps broader than the relief necessary to remedy Plaintiffs’ injuries and is an abuse of discretion,” the appeals court stated in a decision written Tuesday. While the ruling vacated the preliminary injunction, it kept the door open for the federal district court to tailor the injunction for the plaintiffs.That tailored injunction could prohibit the state from “preventing or delaying reasonable accommodations and ensures that Plaintiffs’ schools may provide such reasonable expectations,” according to the ruling.The ruling indicates the lawsuit itself has merit and is likely to succeed in further court proceedings.”Because mask requirements constitute a reasonable modification and schools’ failure to provide this accommodation likely violates the RA (Rehabilitation Act),” the ruling states. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in federal programs.The Iowa State Education Association responded to the ruling on Tuesday afternoon.”The ISEA continues to support local school districts and their many efforts to keep students, employees, and communities safe. This includes an assortment of COVID-19 mitigation efforts including physical distancing, masking, and supporting vaccines for those who can receive them. The federal ruling today is disappointing because it removes the ability of local school districts to make a very important health and safety decision about their specific populations,” said ISEA President Mike Beranek.West Des Moines Schools released an email to parents shortly after the ruling saying students will no longer be required to wear masks, but the use of masks continues to be highly encouraged.
A United States Court of Appeals ruled a preliminary injunction on Iowa’s law banning mask mandates in schools across the state is too broad and must be narrowed.
The 2-1 decision came Tuesday, weeks after a temporary injunction was appealed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Director of the Department of Education, Ann Lebo.
The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit filed by a group of parents and the advocacy group, ARC of Iowa and the ACLU. The lawsuit was aimed to strike down an Iowa law that prevents local school districts from putting mask mandates in place, arguing the law violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, and kept students who were in danger of contracting COVID-19 from being in school.
In the ruling, the court said an earlier court injunction was too broad and did not account for schools that don’t have students with disabilities who need mask accommodations.
“Further, to the extent that some schools in Iowa do not encounter anyone whose disabilities require the schools to make others wear masks, Section 280.31 may prohibit those schools from imposing mask requirements without violating federal disability law,” Judge Benton said in his ruling.
“This sweeps broader than the relief necessary to remedy Plaintiffs’ injuries and is an abuse of discretion,” the appeals court stated in a decision written Tuesday.
While the ruling vacated the preliminary injunction, it kept the door open for the federal district court to tailor the injunction for the plaintiffs.
That tailored injunction could prohibit the state from “preventing or delaying reasonable accommodations and ensures that Plaintiffs’ schools may provide such reasonable expectations,” according to the ruling.
The ruling indicates the lawsuit itself has merit and is likely to succeed in further court proceedings.
“Because mask requirements constitute a reasonable modification and schools’ failure to provide this accommodation likely violates the RA (Rehabilitation Act),” the ruling states. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in federal programs.
The Iowa State Education Association responded to the ruling on Tuesday afternoon.
“The ISEA continues to support local school districts and their many efforts to keep students, employees, and communities safe. This includes an assortment of COVID-19 mitigation efforts including physical distancing, masking, and supporting vaccines for those who can receive them. The federal ruling today is disappointing because it removes the ability of local school districts to make a very important health and safety decision about their specific populations,” said ISEA President Mike Beranek.
West Des Moines Schools released an email to parents shortly after the ruling saying students will no longer be required to wear masks, but the use of masks continues to be highly encouraged.
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