January 1, Florida appeals court reinstates school mask mandate ban in a win for DeSantis

The 1st District Court of Appeal reinstated Florida’s ban on school mask mandates, marking a temporary legal victory for Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The ruling again allows the Florida Department of Education to penalize the 13 school districts that require students to wear masks without giving parents the option to opt out.

The court’s decision also theorized that DeSantis is well-positioned to win the lawsuits brought by parents who sued the state for barring mask mandates.

“These doubts significantly militate against the likelihood of the [parents’] ultimate success in this appeal,” the ruling reads.

“Just like last year in the school re-opening litigation, the First District Court of Appeal has reinstated Florida’s ability to protect the freedom for parents to make the best decisions for their children while they make their own ruling on the appeal,” said DeSantis’ communications direction Taryn Fenske. “We look forward to winning the appeal and will continue to fight for parents’ rights.”

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Appeals court reinstates Florida ban on school mask mandates, delivering win to DeSantis