North Carolina Governor Vetoes Bill Giving Authority to Parents on Masking Their Children in Public Schools

Gov. Roy Cooper prepares to take off his mask before speaking during a briefing at the Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh, N.C., on July 9, 2020. Ethan Hyman/The News & Observer via AP

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed on Feb. 24 Senate Bill 173—the Free the Smiles Act—which would have given parents discernment on masking their children in K-12 public school.

The decision comes a week after he encouraged local school boards to lift their mask mandates; however, Cooper said he wants the school boards to retain the authority to mandate masks in public schools if they choose.