TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Sep 3, 2021

The parents of three Knox County Schools students — all of whom have a disability or chronic illness — have filed a lawsuit against Gov. Bill Lee and Knox County claiming their children are “unable to safely attend school without increased risks of serious injury or even death.” The suit, which is seeking class action status, alleges that Lee’s executive order allowing parents to opt out of school mask mandates and Knox County’s lack of a school mask mandate violate the federal Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act, WATE reports. The parents are asking for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction of Executive Order No. 84 so that Knox County schools can enforce mask mandates. It is the second suit filed by families concerned about their children’s safety. A similar suit was filed a few days ago in Shelby County.