Gianforte signs bill ending local government's power to enforce mask mandates

[TexasTowelie]

Mask mandates and other public health requirements for businesses to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Montana are no longer enforceable, after Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed legislation substantially limiting the authority of local health boards.

The governor’s office Friday announced that House Bill 257, sponsored by Rep. Jedediah Hinkle, R-Belgrade, was among a slate of bills signed in recent days.

Businesses can still elect to require that customers wear masks in their facilities, but under the bill, local health requirements that they do so are no longer enforceable. HB 257 removes the ability of local governments and health officials to issue ordinances or resolutions that deny customers access to a business’s goods or services, or that require a business to do so.

That effectively voids any local mandates that involved business closures, capacity limits or requirements that customers wear masks or not be allowed on the premises.

Read more: https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/gianforte-signs-bill-ending-local-governments-power-to-enforce-mask-mandates/article_585e99cc-64c9-5ca5-a1dd-4f41c30cbab2.html