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<ns0:Description>
<ns0:Id>20250SB__100499INT</ns0:Id>
<ns0:VersionNum>99</ns0:VersionNum>
<ns0:History>
<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-02-09</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:LegislativeInfo>
<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
<ns0:SessionNum>0</ns0:SessionNum>
<ns0:MeasureType>SB</ns0:MeasureType>
<ns0:MeasureNum>1004</ns0:MeasureNum>
<ns0:MeasureState>INT</ns0:MeasureState>
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<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Senators Wiener, Arreguín, Pérez, and Wahab</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="PRINCIPAL_COAUTHOR_OPPOSITE">(Principal coauthors: Assembly Members Bryan, Carrillo, Garcia, and Schultz)</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="COAUTHOR_ORIGINATING">(Coauthors: Senators Gonzalez, McNerney, Menjivar, Smallwood-Cuevas, and Weber Pierson)</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="COAUTHOR_OPPOSITE">(Coauthors: Assembly Members Connolly, Elhawary, Kalra, Lee, Ortega, Quirk-Silva, Sharp-Collins, and Solache)</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Wiener</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Arreguín</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Pérez</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Wahab</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>PRINCIPAL_COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Bryan</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>PRINCIPAL_COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Carrillo</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>PRINCIPAL_COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Garcia</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>PRINCIPAL_COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Schultz</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Gonzalez</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>McNerney</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Menjivar</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Smallwood-Cuevas</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Weber Pierson</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Connolly</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Elhawary</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Kalra</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Lee</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Ortega</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Quirk-Silva</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Sharp-Collins</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Solache</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
</ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Title> An act to amend Section 7289 of the Government Code, and to amend Section 185.5 of the Penal Code, relating to law enforcement, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect immediately. </ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>law enforcement, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect immediately</ns0:RelatingClause>
<ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:Subject>Law enforcement: masks.</ns0:Subject>
</ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:DigestText>
<html:p>Existing law makes it a crime for a law enforcement officer to wear a facial covering in the performance of their duties, except as specified. Existing law defines law enforcement officer for these purposes as anyone designated by California law as a peace officer who is employed by a city, county, or other local agency, and any officer or agent of a federal law enforcement agency, agency or law enforcement agency of another state, or any person acting on behalf of a federal law enforcement agency.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would add peace officers employed by a state agency to the definition of law enforcement officers, thereby making those law enforcement officers subject to those criminal penalties. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.</html:p>
<html:p>Existing law requires a law
enforcement agency operating in California to, by July 1, 2026, maintain and publicly post a written policy limiting the use of facial coverings, as specified. Existing law defines a law enforcement agency for these purposes as any entity of a city, county, or other local agency, that employs anyone designated by California law as a peace officer, any federal law enforcement agency, or any law enforcement agency of another state.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would add to the definition of law enforcement agency, a state entity that employs a peace officer and would change the date any law enforcement agency has to comply with that requirement to January 1, 2027.</html:p>
<html:p>The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would
provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.</html:p>
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<ns0:DigestKey>
<ns0:VoteRequired>TWO_THIRDS</ns0:VoteRequired>
<ns0:Appropriation>NO</ns0:Appropriation>
<ns0:FiscalCommittee>YES</ns0:FiscalCommittee>
<ns0:LocalProgram>YES</ns0:LocalProgram>
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<ns0:ImmediateEffect>YES</ns0:ImmediateEffect>
<ns0:ImmediateEffectFlags>
<ns0:Urgency>YES</ns0:Urgency>
<ns0:TaxLevy>NO</ns0:TaxLevy>
<ns0:Election>NO</ns0:Election>
<ns0:UsualCurrentExpenses>NO</ns0:UsualCurrentExpenses>
<ns0:BudgetBill>NO</ns0:BudgetBill>
<ns0:Prop25TrailerBill>NO</ns0:Prop25TrailerBill>
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<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_1764304E-F965-4FE8-945E-6C8844C661F7">
<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
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Section 7289 of the
<ns0:DocName>Government Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:Num>7289.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_60A987C2-A0C9-440C-8C1E-63F19C332C9B">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
By January 1, 2027, a law enforcement agency operating in California shall maintain and publicly post a written policy regarding the use of facial coverings.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The policy shall include, but not be limited to, each of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A purpose statement affirming the agency’s commitment to all of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Transparency, accountability, and public trust.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Restricting the use of facial coverings to specific, clearly defined, and limited circumstances.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The principle that generalized and undifferentiated fear and apprehension about officer safety shall not be sufficient to justify the use of facial coverings.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A requirement that all sworn personnel not use a facial covering when performing their duties.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A list of narrowly tailored exemptions for the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Active undercover operations or assignments authorized by supervising personnel or court order.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Tactical operations where protective gear is required for physical safety.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Applicable
law governing occupational health and safety.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Protection of identity during prosecution.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(E)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Applicable law governing reasonable accommodations.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Opaque facial coverings shall only be used when no other reasonable alternative exists and the necessity is documented.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(5)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Pursuant to the policy, a supervisor shall not knowingly allow a peace officer under their supervision to violate state law or agency policy limiting the use of a facial covering.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A policy adopted pursuant to this section shall be deemed consistent with Section 185.5 of the Penal Code unless a verified written challenge to its legality is submitted to the head of the agency by a member of the public, an oversight
body, or a local governing authority, at which time the agency shall be afforded 90 days to correct any deficiencies in the policy. If, after 90 days, the agency has failed to adequately address the complaint, the complaining party may proceed to a court of competent jurisdiction for a judicial determination of the agency’s exemption pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 185.5 of the Penal Code. The agency’s policy and its employees’ exemptions shall remain in effect unless a court rules the agency’s policy is not in compliance with subdivision (f) of Section 185.5 of the Penal Code and all potential appeals to higher courts have been exhausted by the agency.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Facial covering” has the same meaning as in subdivision (b) of Section 185.5 of the Penal Code.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Law enforcement agency” means any of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Any entity of a city, county, or other local agency, that employs a peace officer described in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A state entity that employs a peace officer described in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Any law enforcement agency of another state.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Any federal law enforcement agency.
</html:p>
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</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_7811E940-5A1B-4554-BE5A-C8D5C802CDAB">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 2.</ns0:Num>
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Section 185.5 of the
<ns0:DocName>Penal Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:LawSection id="id_A984D938-AE39-4A4E-BD3F-8334D0670AE1">
<ns0:Num>185.5.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_6BDE3855-4DB0-4976-A523-329DEDF53DF4">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A law enforcement officer shall not wear a facial covering that conceals or obscures their facial identity in the performance of their duties, except as expressly authorized in this section.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
For purposes of this section, “facial covering” means any opaque mask, garment, helmet, headgear, or other item that conceals or obscures the facial identity of an individual, including, but not limited to, a balaclava, tactical mask, gator, ski mask, and any similar type of facial covering or face-shielding item.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A “facial covering” does not include any of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A translucent face shield or clear
mask that does not conceal the wearer’s facial identity and is used in compliance with the employing agency’s policy and procedures in Section 7289 of the Government Code.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A N95 medical mask or surgical mask to protect against transmission of disease or infection or any other mask, helmet, or device, including, but not limited to, air-purifying respirators, full or half masks, or self-contained breathing apparatus necessary to protect against exposure to any toxin, gas, smoke, inclement weather, or any other hazardous or harmful environmental condition.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A mask, helmet, or device, including, but not limited to, a self-contained breathing apparatus, necessary for underwater use.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A motorcycle helmet when worn by an officer utilizing a motorcycle or other vehicle that requires a helmet for safe operations
while in the performance of their duties.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(E)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Eyewear necessary to protect from the use of retinal weapons, including, but not limited to, lasers.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
This section does not apply to either of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
An officer subject to one or more of the exemptions set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 7289 of the Government Code.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
An officer assigned to Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team units while actively performing their SWAT responsibilities.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A willful and knowing violation of this section is punishable as an infraction or a misdemeanor.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
For the purposes of this section, “law enforcement
officer” means a peace officer, as defined in Section 830, employed by a state agency or a city, county, or other local agency as well as any officer or agent of a federal law enforcement agency or any law enforcement agency of another state or any person acting on behalf of a federal law enforcement agency or law enforcement agency of another state.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(f)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The criminal penalties in this section shall not apply to any law enforcement officer if they were acting in their capacity as an employee of the agency and the agency maintains and publicly posts, no later than January 1, 2027, a written policy pursuant to Section 7289 of the
Government Code.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(g)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Notwithstanding any other law, any person who is found to have committed an assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, abuse of process, or malicious prosecution, while wearing a facial covering in a knowing and willful violation of this section shall not be entitled to assert any privilege or immunity for their tortious conduct against a claim of civil liability, and shall be liable to that individual for the greater of actual damages or statutory damages of not less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), whichever is greater.
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<ns0:BillSection id="id_99FF576E-2643-48FC-9E0B-E080777EE4FF">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 3.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII
<html:span class="ThinSpace"/>
B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII
<html:span class="ThinSpace"/>
B of the California Constitution.
</html:p>
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<ns0:BillSection id="id_DB909B64-0567-483D-ACA7-1C1684764359">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 4.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the meaning of Article IV of the California Constitution and shall go into immediate effect. The facts constituting the necessity are:</html:p>
<html:p>To keep our communities safe, especially when under attack, and to boost public safety and trust in law enforcement, it is necessary that this act take effect immediately.</html:p>
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