The Maryland Board of Education issued a mask mandate for all students across Maryland schools. The House Minority Caucus issued a statement today, voicing concerns regarding the Board’s “unprecedented usurpation of local control”. It is irresponsible and unacceptable for an unelected group of individuals to make a sweeping ruling without the local governments or the public having a voice. The Caucus supports the Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (AELR) Committee fully evaluate this over a 10-day period. It is the best way for the citizens of Maryland to hear concerns and review policy. The intentions of this will in no way prohibit a parent from choosing to mask their children when they return to school but only that parents will be able to choose for themselves what they are comfortable with.