Bill
Bill > A08908
NY A08908
NY A08908Prohibits local, state and federal law enforcement officers from wearing any mask or personal disguise while interacting with the public in the performance of their duties; excludes certain protective masks.
summary
Introduced
07/16/2025
07/16/2025
In Committee
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 General Assembly
Bill Summary
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to prohibiting law enforcement officers from wearing any mask or personal disguise while interacting with the public in the performance of their duties
AI Summary
This bill prohibits law enforcement officers (defined as any officer from local, state, or federal agencies) from wearing masks or personal disguises while interacting with the public during the performance of their duties, with several specific exceptions. The allowed mask types include medical grade surgical or N95 respirators for disease prevention, masks to protect against smoke during fire situations, masks for water rescue operations, masks for protection against biological or chemical agents, and masks designed to protect against extreme cold during weather emergencies. Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team officers are permitted to wear protective gear to shield their faces from physical harm during operations. The bill also requires that all law enforcement officers be clearly identified by their name or badge number on their uniforms. Any violation of this law would be classified as a misdemeanor. The purpose appears to be increasing transparency and accountability in law enforcement interactions by ensuring officers can be clearly identified and their faces are visible during public encounters.
Committee Categories
Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (47)
Tony Simone (D)*,
Didi Barrett (D),
Michael Benedetto (D),
Harry Bronson (D),
Chris Burdick (D),
Robert Carroll (D),
Michael Cashman (D),
Sarah Clark (D),
William Colton (D),
Catalina Cruz (D),
Brian Cunningham (D),
Maritza Davila (D),
Emily Gallagher (D),
Deborah Glick (D),
Jessica González-Rojas (D),
Andrew Hevesi (D),
Jonathan Jacobson (D),
Paula Kay (D),
Anna Kelles (D),
Ron Kim (D),
Micah Lasher (D),
Charles Lavine (D),
Grace Lee (D),
Dana Levenberg (D),
Jen Lunsford (D),
Donna Lupardo (D),
Demond Meeks (D),
Marcela Mitaynes (D),
Diana Moreno (D),
Steve Otis (D),
Amy Paulin (D),
Steven Raga (D),
Jenifer Rajkumar (D),
Gabriella Romero (D),
Linda Rosenthal (D),
Thomas Schiavoni (D),
Rebecca Seawright (D),
Maryjane Shimsky (D),
Sarahana Shrestha (D),
Jo Anne Simon (D),
Michaelle Solages (D),
Phara Souffrant Forrest (D),
Phil Steck (D),
Al Taylor (D),
Emerita Torres (D),
Claire Valdez (D),
David Weprin (D),
Last Action
referred to codes (on 01/07/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8908 |
| BillText | https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A08908&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Text=Y&Committee%26nbspVotes=Y&Floor%26nbspVotes=Y#A08908 |
Loading...