A North Carolina bill partially meant to address mask-wearing at protests was under review Wednesday after some House Republicans raised issue with the legislation\u2019s impact on people who wear masks for health reasons.<\/p>\n
The state House voted not to accept changes made to the bill by the state Senate that would remove a pandemic-era masking exemption for health purposes.<\/p>\n
Aside from the health exemption removal, the bill would enhance penalties for people who wear masks while committing a crime and for people who block roadways during a demonstration. The bill comes, in part, as a response to widespread college protests, including on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill\u2019s campus, about the war in Gaza.<\/p>\n
The House\u2019s vote means the legislation will head to a team of lawmakers to negotiate revisions to it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A North Carolina bill partially meant to address mask-wearing at protests was under review Wednesday after some House Republicans raised issue with the legislation\u2019s impact on people who wear masks for health reasons.<\/p>\n
The state House voted not to accept changes made to the bill by the state Senate that would remove a pandemic-era masking exemption for health purposes.<\/p>\n