U.S. Appeals Court Upholds State Health Department’s School Mask Mandate Authority

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Aug. 23 that Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services does have the authority to require face mask use at all public and private schools.

The court rejected claims brought by Michigan parents whose children attend a Catholic school. They filed a complaint in U.S. District Court on Oct. 22, 2020, alleging the mandate violated their rights to freedom of speech, freedom of association, the free exercise of religion, equal protection under the law and and substantive due process.

The plaintiffs have 90 days to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.