Aug. 3—A contingent of legislative Democrats is calling for a special legislative session to repeal a new law that prevents school districts from imposing mask mandates unless a state of emergency is in effect.

More than a dozen House Democrats want the GOPled Oklahoma Legislature to undo the law that passed with support from more than two-thirds of state lawmakers.

At issue is Senate Bill 658, which prevents schools from requiring students to wear masks unless Gov. Kevin Stitt has declared a state of emergency. The law also prevents public schools and colleges from requiring students to get a COVID-19 vaccination or “vaccine passport.”

Despite increased spread of the highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19, Stitt recently said he has no plans to declare a state of emergency due to the pandemic. Some health care leaders have urged Stitt to declare a state of emergency.

“What has to happen before we take COVID seriously?” said House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman. “We have children in ICU. Our schools are about to open without the ability to protect staff and students, and as cases continue to rise, our vaccination rate is one of the worst in the nation. If the governor is going to abdicate his responsibility, the Legislature must act.”

The governor can call a special session or the Legislature can convene its own session with the support of two-thirds of lawmakers in each chamber.

Stitt’s office did not respond Monday to a request for comment. In a statement last week, a spokeswoman for the governor said: “Governor Stitt will not issue a mask mandate or a vaccine mandate and believes parents have a right to decide the best way to protect their child.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend everyone in K-12 schools wear masks, regardless of vaccination status. Only children age 12 and older are currently eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Under current law, school districts can ask students to wear masks, but they can’t require face coverings.

In Arkansas, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced last week that he would call lawmakers back to the state Capitol to consider undoing a statewide ban on mask mandates in public schools. Hutchinson, a Republican, also reinstated the state’s emergency declaration as COVID-19 cases have spiked in recent weeks.

Even if the Oklahoma Legislature convened in a special session, Democrats would face an uphill battle to repeal SB 658.

The bill largely passed on party lines with support from 114 of 149 state lawmakers.