Oklahoma Legislature Passes Bill Banning Mask Mandate, COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements in Schools

Masked students wait in a socially distanced single file line before heading to the cafeteria at Medora Elementary School in Louisville, Ky., on March 17, 2021. Jon Cherry/Getty Images

The Oklahoma House has passed a bill banning mask mandates in public schools and requirements for students to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The bill, SB 658, passed the state House by 76–18 and was sent to Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt on May 26. The state Senate had passed the bill by 38–8 a day earlier.