SECTION 1. Any person age two or older who is attending, instructing, supervising, or otherwise participating in or engaging with: (a) a child care program licensed by the department of early education and care, or (b) any elementary or secondary school instructing children in kindergarten through grade 12, inclusive, shall at all times when indoors wear a mask or face covering that covers the mouth and nose, consistent with guidance issued by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; provided, however, that masks or face coverings shall not be required when eating or drinking, or for persons who are unable to wear masks or face coverings due to physician-verified medical conditions, disability, or other health and safety factors. The department of elementary and secondary education and the department of early education and care may issue emergency guidance and regulations implementing this section.

SECTION 2. Notwithstanding section 1 of chapter 76 or any other special or general law to the contrary, any public or private school shall excuse any absence necessary for an enrolled student to be immunized against the 2019 novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, and said student shall be provided with an opportunity to make up any examination or study missed because of such absence.

SECTION 3. A parent, guardian, or caregiver of a dependent child shall be entitled, upon request, to take six hours of paid leave to be used for the purpose of facilitating said child’s immunization against the 2019 novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. It shall be unlawful for any employer to interfere with, restrain, or deny the exercise of, or the attempt to exercise, the right to take paid leave under this section. It shall be unlawful for any employer to retaliate in any way against any employee attempting to take or taking paid leave under this section.

SECTION 4. Sections 1 through 3, inclusive, of this act are hereby repealed.

SECTION 5. Section 4 shall take effect on June 30, 2022.