A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that the executive order imposed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) banning mask mandates in schools violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, giving local officials the ability to set their own policies on face coverings.
Disability Rights Texas filed the lawsuit against Abbott, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath in August, saying the order denied kids with disabilities, who are at a higher risk of illness and death from the virus, access to public education. U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel agreed, saying on Wednesday that the order keeps children with disabilities from getting the programs, services, and activities at public schools they are entitled to receive.
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