PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org

CONCORD – A bill that would prohibit school boards from requiring facial coverings in their schools got full support for the measure during a public hearing Wednesday.

It would still allow for the governor to call for mandatory masks in the case of an emergency.

The measure was heard by the House Education Policy and Administration Committee and there were no opponents.

Supporters said there was a loss of student learning during COVID-19 and there was difficulty students suffered for long periods of time. They cited studies and indicated school boards are not health care specialists, and in some cases did not want the responsibility of making the choice.

State Rep. Kristin Noble, R-Bedford, sponsor of the bill, said the bill came out of her frustration as a parent during COVID-19 and watching difficulties children were having wearing masks for a long period of time.

The voices of parents opposed to the mandate got louder at meetings “but no one would listen and we felt helpless.”

Unlike with the governor’s separate orders from schools, there were no carve outs, even while playing musical instruments, they cut holes to let the mouthpiece in, Noble said.

Sununu twice vetoed this bill.

Noble said this bill protects school boards from ever going back and being forced to mandate masks.

Rep. Sayra Lynn DeVito, R-Danville, co-sponsor of the bill, said it is essential for the parents to make a decision. She said prolonged wearing of masks can negatively impact children. 

Arlene Quaratiello, a former state representative, said this should never happen again.

“Let’s give the new governor an opportunity to sign this into law and protect our children,” she said.

Former state Rep. Emily Phillips, a Republican from Fremont who was also a sponsor of the bill last year and was on a school board during the pandemic, said members wished the state was setting the policy.

“All we are asking is the state to do this…to decide these things, not the school board…we have a lot more to do than fight with parents,” Phillips said.

Dr. Gary York of Hopkinton said it is no-brainer legislation which has passed before in the state.

“If we accept the premise that masks don’t work, then it is just political theater,” he said.

Ann Marie Banfield, a kidney transplant recipient who is immune compromised and had to deal seriously with illness, said she would wear a mask on planes during cold and flu season and was very sympathetic to parents who wanted their kids to wear a mask but the mandates made her pause.

She heard from parents of children who were neurodiverse saying this is serious.

“I think it is common sense to let the parents decide,” she said.

Rep. Kelley Potenza, R-Rochester also supported the bill. 

“My family suffered greatly,” during COVID-19 under mandatory mask policies at school and does not ever want to see this happen again.

“Let’s just get this done,” she said.