Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration has asked an appeals court to block challenges filed by five school boards against a Department of Health rule aimed at preventing students from being forced to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Department of Health attorneys went to the 1st District Court of Appeal on Monday after an administrative law judge refused to dismiss the challenges filed by the school boards. In a 28-page petition, the department contended that the school boards don’t have the legal authority to challenge the emergency rule, which requires that parents be able to opt-out their children from any school mask mandates.

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