RICHMOND—Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Wednesday, February 16, signed Senate Bill 739, empowering parents by creating a parental opt-out from local school mask mandates and ensuring five days a week of in-person instruction.
The bill took effect immediately, providing school districts a transition period to comply by March 1, according to press release from the governor’s office.
Gov. Youngkin issued the following statement to parents and students: “Since day one, we have worked to empower Virginia parents who want to have a voice in the upbringing and education of their children. This is a defining moment and decisive victory for parents and kids across the Commonwealth. We are reaffirming that parents matter by signing Senate Bill 739, effectively giving parents the ability to opt-out of school mask mandates.”