Arkansas governor says he regrets mask mandate ban, calls special session to re-address

A special session is underway in Arkansas as its governor says he regrets signing a ban on mask mandates.

At a news conference Tuesday, Republican Asa Hutchinson said, “Everything has changed now. And yes, in hindsight I wish that had not become law, but it is the law and the only chance we have is either to amend it or for the courts to say it has an unconstitutional foundation.”

Hutchinson says he wants the state legislature to make a carve out so school boards can decide on their own if they want to require masks for kids under 12.

As the law stands, no county, city, or school board can make a mask mandate.

As of August 1, Arkansas reports that almost 19 percent of all coronavirus cases are in kids. Of that, more than half are in kids under 12. Currently, the coronavirus vaccines are only for people over 12.

The state reports there has been almost a 690 percent increase from April to July in the number of cases in kids under 12.

While the governor is able to call a special session, the state legislature gets to decide if this is something it wants to change.