Bill > S3578

Introduced Session

This bill prohibits wearing a mask while congregating in a public place with other masked persons with the purpose to conceal the person's identity while committing another crime or offense. A person would not be charged for a disorderly persons offense under the bill, unless the person is charged with an underlying crime or offense under Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes; and was wearing a mask at the time the person committed the underlying crime or offense. The bill establishes various exceptions to the general prohibition on wearing masks while congregating in a public place with other people who are also masked or disguised. These include: (1) activities related to the celebration of Halloween; (2) participants in any public parade or exhibition of an educational, religious, or historical character; (3) persons wearing a mask for protection from weather; (4) persons wearing head coverings or veils in accordance with religious beliefs or customs; or (5) persons wearing a mask for medical purposes. Finally, the bill also prohibits the merger of this crime with another for the purpose of reducing a defendant's sentence. It is a disorderly persons offense to violate the provisions of the bill. A disorderly offense is punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

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Jon Bramnick (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 09/19/2024)

Official Document