FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — Attorney General Daniel Cameron's office has filed a motion that challenges Governor Andy Beshear's executive order requiring people across Kentucky to wear face masks.
The motion, filed in Scott Circuit Court, asks the Judge to consider whether Gov. Beshear's most recent executive order mandating mask use follows state law.
"Had the Governor consulted with our office and the leadership of the General Assembly on his order prior to its issuance, this step would have been unnecessary," Attorney General Cameron wrote in a statement. "The Governor has refused input on his executive orders, despite offers of assistance. This pattern has led to numerous challenges in court, all of which he has lost."
On Thursday, a Scott Circuit Judge filed a temporary restraining order to stop enforcement of COVID-19 executive orders that are not in compliance with state law.
"As the chief law officer for the Commonwealth, it is my duty to raise this question before the court and ensure that the law is followed," said Cameron.
Cameron, alongside Senate President Robert Stivers and House Speaker David Osborne, sent a letter to the Governor after he announced the new mandate Thursday.
Cameron also released a statement on Friday saying, "To be clear, the request we are making to the court today is not about whether or not it is appropriate to wear a mask. It is my belief that masks are an important tool in fighting this pandemic. It is, however, about determining if the Governor's executive order mandating mask use follows state law."
The hearing is scheduled for July 16 at 1 p.m.
