AR HB1003

Allows public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to mandate face masks, face shields, or other face coverings only where children under 12 years of age are present during academic times if the district or county has a 14-day COVID-19 infection rate of at least 50 new known infections per 10,000 residents based on Department of Health or Arkansas Center for Health Improvement data.

Limits any face covering mandate imposed by schools to a maximum of 60 days, with the ability to impose successive 60-day mandates if infection rate thresholds are met and local school boards vote to approve.

Requires schools to develop implementation policies considering circumstances where face coverings may not be warranted, including adequate physical distancing and medical exemptions verified by physician letters or Americans with Disabilities Act protections.

Exempts private businesses, state healthcare facilities, Department of Corrections facilities, and Division of Youth Services facilities from the prohibition on mandating face coverings.

Declares an emergency effective upon the Governor's approval, or if neither approved nor vetoed within the statutory period, or upon veto override by the legislature, citing the COVID-19 pandemic threat as schools open for the 2021-2022 school year.