SB 627: Law enforcement: masks.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to wear a mask, false whiskers, or any personal disguise, as specified, with the purpose of evading or escaping discovery, recognition, or identification while committing a public offense, or for concealment, flight, evasion, or escape from arrest or conviction for any public offense.

This bill would make it a crime for a law enforcement officer to wear a facial covering in the performance of their duties, except as specified. The bill would define law enforcement officer 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 or law enforcement agency of another state, or any person acting on behalf of a federal law enforcement agency or agency of another state. The bill would make a violation of these provisions punishable as an infraction or a misdemeanor, as specified. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The bill would require any 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. The bill would exempt personnel of any agency from the crime of wearing a facial covering if an agency maintains a policy pursuant to this section no later than July 1, 2026. The bill would deem a policy consistent with these provisions for the purposes of that exception unless a member of the public, an oversight body, or a local governing authority challenges it. The bill would also impose a specified civil penalty against certain officers for tortious conduct, including, but not limited to, false imprisonment or false arrest of an individual while wearing a facial covering. The bill would, if the agency does not address deficiencies within 90 days, authorize the complaining party to proceed to a court of competent jurisdiction for a judicial determination of the exemption, as specified. The bill would define 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.

By imposing additional duties on local law enforcement agencies, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.

This bill would declare its provisions to be severable.

This bill would make related findings and declarations.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 34

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 20, 2025Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 125, Statutes of 2025.
2. September 20, 2025Approved by the Governor.
3. September 17, 2025Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
4. September 11, 2025Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 28. Noes 11. Page 2936.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. September 11, 2025Reconsideration granted. (Ayes 30. Noes 10. Page 2935.)
6. September 11, 2025Motion to reconsider made by Senator Wiener.
7. September 11, 2025Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 27. Noes 10. Page 2908.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
8. September 11, 2025From committee: That the Assembly amendments be concurred in. (Ayes 5. Noes 1. Page 2939.)
9. September 10, 2025From committee: Be re-referred to Com. on PUB. S. pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(d). (Ayes 3. Noes 0. Page 2759.) Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
10. September 10, 2025Re-referred to Com. on RLS. pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(d).
11. September 9, 2025In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
12. September 9, 2025Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 45. Noes 23. Page 3120.) Ordered to the Senate.