Gov. Holcomb mask order won't have criminal penalties
Governor Eric Holcomb signed the Executive Order requiring Hoosiers to wear face coverings due to COVID-19 on Friday, but the order does not include criminal penalties for non-compliance.
The order explains when masks are required out in public and in schools as of July 27. The order is effective through August 26.
“Hoosiers have worked hard to get where we are today with businesses open and people back at work. We want to keep it that way. We don’t want to dial things back. Face coverings can and will help us blunt the increase of this virus,” Gov. Holcomb said.
When the governor announced he would sign the order on Wednesday, he said failure to comply would result in a Class B misdemeanor.
Attorney General Curtis Hill issued an opinion that the governor did not have the power to make laws with criminal penalties, that only the General Assembly can do that.
The order issued Friday does not include criminal penalties. Enforcement will be done through education by local health departments.