Law enforcement: masks.

Legislative status

1. Introduced
2. In Committee
3. Reported by Committee
4. Floor Vote Scheduled
5. Passed One Chamber
6. Passed Both Chambers
7. Sent to Executive
8. Enacted

Summary

The bill requires every city, county, state or federal law‑enforcement agency operating in California to adopt and publicly post a written policy on facial coverings by Jan. 1, 2027. It expands the definition of “law‑enforcement officer” to include peace officers employed by state agencies, making them subject to criminal penalties for wearing opaque masks unless narrowly exempted. The measure aims to increase transparency and public trust while allowing limited safety‑related exceptions.

AI-generated summary — may be incomplete or inaccurate. Verify against the official bill text.

Vote

Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 44. Noes 22. Page 6611.) Ordered to the Senate. · Aug 26, 2026

Hearings

• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · Aug 13, 2026
• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · Aug 5, 2026
• Public Safety Committee Hearing
  Public Safety · Jun 23, 2026
• Public Safety Committee Hearing
  Public Safety · Jun 23, 2026
• Public Safety Committee Hearing
  Public Safety · Jun 9, 2026

History

1. May 26, 2026Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2. May 20, 2026In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
3. May 19, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 28. Noes 9.) Ordered to the Assembly.
4. May 18, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
5. May 14, 2026Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
6. May 14, 2026From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (May 14).
7. May 8, 2026Set for hearing May 14.
8. Apr 27, 2026April 27 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
9. Apr 21, 2026Set for hearing April 27.
10. Apr 16, 2026Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
11. Apr 15, 2026From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 1. Page 3871.) (April 14).
12. Mar 27, 2026Set for hearing April 14.

The 12 most recent of 15 recorded actions.

Sponsors

• Scott Wiener (D) · sponsor
• Arreguín
• Bryan
• Carrillo
• Connolly
• Elhawary
• Garcia
• Gonzalez
• Kalra
• Lee
• McNerney
• Menjivar
• Ortega
• Pérez
• Quirk-Silva
• Schultz
• Sharp-Collins
• Smallwood-Cuevas
• Solache
• Wahab
• Weber Pierson
• Wiener

Bill text

Opens the legislature’s own copy.

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