COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - If a state lawmaker from Trumbull County has his way, Ohio schools will no longer be permitted to order students to wear masks in class.

Republican State Representative Mike Loychik is co-sponsoring House Bill 400, which he says would prohibit K-12 public schools from mandating students to wear a mask. The bill would make masks optional for students.

Loychik says if the bill is enacted, it would only apply to students.  Schools could still order faculty, staff, and guests to wear masks.

"I've seen and heard constituent concerns across my district from these mask orders from public schools receiving public taxpayer dollars," said Loychik. "Through this bill, we are reiterating their opposition as it should be up to the discretion of parents on whether their kids should wear a mask or not."

The bill currently has more than 20 cosponsors and awaits its first committee hearing.