The Democrat-controlled Virginia Senate on Feb. 8 passed a bill to make masks optional in schools. The move comes as a January executive order to the same effect has been challenged by lawsuits, and resisted by dozens of school districts across the state. The bill, introduced by Democratic state Sen. Chap Petersen, would bar school districts from compelling mask-wearing in public schools, making it the choice of parents instead. The legislation now heads to the Republican-controlled House of Delegates. “A parent making such an election shall not be required to provide a reason or any certification of the child’s health or education status. No student shall suffer any adverse disciplinary or academic consequences as a result of this parental election,” the bill read. Virginia Gov. Youngkin welcomed the outcome. “In the last week, we have seen Democrat-led states like Oregon, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Delaware move away from universal mask …