California lawmakers on Thursday passed controversial legislation that would prohibit most law enforcement officers from covering their faces during public interactions, drawing both praise from “civil liberties” advocates and concern from law enforcement groups.
The bill, SB 627, was authored by State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and passed along party lines in both chambers of the Democrat-controlled legislature. It now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk, though it remains unclear whether he will sign it into law.
What the Bill Would Do
If signed, SB 627 would bar police officers — including local, state, and even federal agents operating in California — from wearing face coverings that obscure their identity during interactions with the public. The bill includes exemptions for medical or N95 masks, motorcycle helmets, clear or translucent face shields, protective breathing apparatuses, SWAT operations and specific undercover assignments
Notably, the bill ties enforcement of the ban to misconduct: an officer must be found to have committed assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, abuse of process, or malicious prosecution while masked for it to result in legal penalties.
A companion bill was also passed requiring all law enforcement officers to visibly wear identifying information, such as their badge number or name, during public operations.
Why It Was Introduced
Sen. Wiener said the bill was a direct response to recent ICE raids and reports of mask-clad federal agents operating in unmarked vehicles in California neighborhoods.
“ICE agents, bounty hunters, and who knows who else are running around, basically wearing ski masks, grabbing people from their front yards, from bus stops, from their workplaces, and throwing them into unmarked vehicles,” Wiener told ABC10. “SB 627 will ban this kind of extreme masking with reasonable exemptions.”
The legislation echoes concerns raised during the 2020 protests, when federal agents deployed to Portland, Oregon, were criticized for concealing their identities and using unmarked vehicles during arrests.
Law Enforcement Pushback
Law enforcement groups have voiced strong opposition to the bill. Brian Marvel, President of the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), said the law could open up officers to frivolous lawsuits and strip them of legal protections.
“Officers wearing masks in good faith — for health, for personal safety, or to protect their families — are now potentially at risk of losing their qualified immunity,” Marvel said. “This is yet another example of lawmakers adding liability while tying the hands of officers in the field.”
He also warned that it could complicate efforts to protect officers’ identities during high-risk operations or in areas where anti-police sentiment is high.
Newsom’s Position Unclear
While Gov. Gavin Newsom hasn’t committed to signing the bill, he previously indicated some level of support during a July interview with The Tennessee Holler, when asked about federal agents wearing masks during ICE operations.
“It appears that we don’t have the legal authority over federal agents, but we do for other law enforcement authorities,” Newsom said. “There are amendments being made, and our legal team is looking at it.”
The bill’s language does attempt to cover federal officers while operating within California’s jurisdiction, though legal challenges may arise if the law is signed.
Critics Say It’s Politically Motivated
Critics argue the bill is less about public safety and more about scoring political points against federal agencies like ICE and the Border Patrol.
Law enforcement unions are reportedly weighing legal action if the law is enacted.
What Happens Next
If signed by Newsom, SB 627 will go into effect January 1, 2026. It is believed to be the first law of its kind in the country, though similar bills have been floated in New York, Oregon, and in Congress.
READA NEXT: California to End COVID Mask Requirements With One Exception
