WEST virginia legislature

2021 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 2869

By Delegates J. Jeffries, Longanacre, Kimes, Jennings, McGeehan, Horst, MARTIN, and Householder

[Introduced March 03, 2021; Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary]

A BILL amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §16-1-22, relating to providing limitations on mask wearing requirements.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 1. STATE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM.

§16-1-22. Limitations on requirements to wear a mask.

(a) A state or local elected official, the state, or a political subdivision of the state may not mandate an individual in this state use a face mask, face shield, or other face covering.

(b) The making use of a face mask, shield, or covering a condition for entry, education, employment, or services is prohibited.

(c) Notwithstanding authority granted under other provisions of law to the contrary, if a state or local elected official, the state, or a political subdivision of the state recommends an individual in this state use a face mask, shield, or covering, the official or entity shall provide notice that the recommendation is not mandatory.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide limitations on mask wearing requirements.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.