While litigation over the mask mandates continues, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt today sent a letter to
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and
Jackson County Executive Frank White noting the exceptions to the City and County’s mask mandates, and providing “legal direction” to the public on these important exceptions, specifically for those with disabilities or those under the age of 18. This letter serves as “legal direction” to Kansas City and Jackson County on who qualifies for an exemption from the mask mandates.
“Both Kansas City’s and Jackson County’s mask mandate provides that ‘legal direction’ is an acceptable exception to the mandate. While our lawsuits against Kansas City and Jackson County continue, I sent this letter as ‘legal direction’ to Kansas City and Jackson County on who qualifies for important exceptions to mask mandates imposed by power-hungry bureaucrats,” said
Attorney General Schmitt. “My Office will continue to fight these mask mandates in court.”
The letter begins with Section 3.B of the Kansas City mask mandate and Section 4(a) of the Jackson County mask mandate, which enumerate the exceptions to the mask mandate [emphases added]: Persons who have
disabilities where face coverings or masks constitute
a substantial impairment to their health and well-being based upon medical, behavioral, or
legal direction.”
Moreover, Attorney General Schmitt’s letters state, “The new ordinance does not define the terms ‘disability,’ ‘substantial impairment to their health and well-being,’ or ‘legal direction.’ Missouri law provides meaningful guidance in this regard.” To clear up confusion in the ordinances as drafted, the Attorney General’s Office’s letter furnishes clear textual analysis in order to provide “legal direction” to Kansas City and Kansas Citians.
The letter finishes with, “I direct that any resident or visitor subject to any physical or legal disability—including any minor under the age of 18—is exempt from the mask-wearing mandate under Section 3.B.2 of the ordinance, provided that he or she (or a parent or guardian, in the case of minors) believes that wearing a mask or face covering will have any significant adverse impact on their personal, mental, or physical welfare. It is also the legal direction of my office that face coverings or masks constitute ‘a substantial impairment to … health and well-being’ for minors, especially for young children, as medical studies have concluded.”
Attorney General Schmitt also provided both
Kansas City and
Jackson County with a Notice that lists exceptions to the mask mandate, which include:
The Attorney General’s Office filed suit against Kansas City and Jackson County in August. The Attorney General’s Office also has requested information and documents from Kansas City and Jackson County through formal discovery requests. Those cases are ongoing.