'Unmask Georgia Students Act' Signed Into Law By Gov. Kemp

ATLANTA, GA — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp officially signed the Unmask Georgia Students Act into law Tuesday.

According to Kemp, the law is designed to "put parents at the forefront of their child’s health and safety – not the government."

"Parents know what is best for their kids, not politicians or bureaucrats," he posted to Facebook after signing Senate Bill 514 into law.

The law allows public schools to have mask mandates but gives parents the option to opt-out.

Under the law, parents will not be required to provide a reason or any certification of their child's health or education status to be exempt from masking.

Students who choose not to wear face masks at school cannot face disciplinary or academic consequences, according to the law.

Meanwhile, critics say mask mandates are necessary to minimize sickness and the spread of COVID-19.

"Legislators who passed #SB514 should have to tell every parent who has lost a child to Covid or has an immune-compromised kid who is STILL at home - that the threat to their children is a 'statistical non-event,'" tweeted Mikayla Arciaga, a former District 4 candidate for Atlanta Public Schools.

The law takes effect immediately and runs through June 2027.