Feds Open Civil Rights Probe Of Lee Mask Order

By Sam Stockard, Tennessee Lookout

August 30, 2021

The federal government opened a civil rights probe Monday of Gov. Bill Lee’s executive order on masks, threatening to take action against Tennessee if it finds a violation of U.S. law.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights informed Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn it opened a “directed investigation” into whether the state is preventing school districts from “considering or meeting the needs of students with disabilities” because of its policy allowing parents to opt out of mask mandates designed to stem COVID-19. According to reports, Tennessee is one of five states whose governor’s orders are under investigation.

“OCR’s investigation will focus on whether, in light of this policy, students with disabilities who are at heightened risk for severe illness from COVID-19 are prevented from safely returning to in-person education, in violation of federal law,” the letter states.

The letter points out the nation has experienced “significant increases” in COVID-19 cases at the start of the school year, mainly among school-age children.

The Governor’s Office said Monday it received the letter and is reviewing it.

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