summary
Introduced
07/18/2025
07/18/2025
In Committee
02/11/2026
02/11/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a law enforcement officer shall not wear any mask or neck gaiter while interacting with the public in the performance of the officer's duties, except for medical grade masks that are surgical or N95 respirators designed to prevent the transmission of airborne diseases and diseases, masks designed to protect against exposure to smoke during a state of emergency related to wildfires, or protective gear used by Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team officers necessary to protect their faces from harm while they perform their SWAT responsibilities. Provides that "mask" does not include a face shield if it does not conceal the wearer's face and does not include a clear mask that does not conceal the wearer's face. Provides that while executing law enforcement duties, a law enforcement officer shall display on the uniform that the officer wears: (i) the officer's name or badge number and (ii) the agency in which the officer is employed. Provides that the provisions do not apply to an officer while the officer is engaged in an undercover assignment. Provides that moneys from fines received for convictions under this provision shall be deposited into a special fund in the State treasury to be known as the Immigrant Family Services Fund and shall be used by the Department of Human Services to provide immigrant family services as determined by the Secretary of Human Services. Establishes penalties for violations. Defines terms. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Criminal Code of 2012 to establish new requirements and restrictions for law enforcement officers regarding mask wearing and uniform identification. Specifically, law enforcement officers are prohibited from wearing masks or neck gaiters while interacting with the public, with exceptions for medical-grade masks (surgical or N95), smoke protection masks during wildfire emergencies, and protective gear used by SWAT team members. Officers must display their name or badge number and their agency on their uniform while performing law enforcement duties. The bill defines a law enforcement officer broadly to include not just sworn officers but also people directed by officers to assist them. Violations are classified differently based on the offender's status: for non-sworn personnel, it's a Class A misdemeanor, while for sworn officers, the first offense is a petty offense and subsequent offenses become Class A misdemeanors. Notably, any fines collected from these violations will be deposited into a new Immigrant Family Services Fund, to be administered by the Department of Human Services for providing services to immigrant families. The bill does not apply to officers engaged in undercover assignments and clarifies that face shields and clear masks that do not conceal the wearer's face are not considered masks under this regulation.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (24)
Barbara Hernandez (D)*,
Carol Ammons (D),
Dee Avelar (D),
Diane Blair-Sherlock (D),
Amy Briel (D),
Mary Beth Canty (D),
Kelly Cassidy (D),
Michael Crawford (D),
Margaret Croke (D),
Lisa Davis (D),
Eva-Dina Delgado (D),
Laura Faver Dias (D),
Edgar González (D),
Nicolle Grasse (D),
Maura Hirschauer (D),
Hoan Huynh (D),
Lilian Jiménez (D),
Stephanie Kifowit (D),
Joyce Mason (D),
Anna Moeller (D),
Michelle Mussman (D),
Aarón Ortíz (D),
Anne Stava-Murray (D),
Ann Williams (D),
Last Action
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Aarón M. Ortíz (on 02/24/2026)
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