Overview
- SB 627 passed the Assembly on a 44–29 vote and would generally make it a crime for officers to wear facial coverings while on duty.
- The bill applies to federal, local, and out-of-state agencies operating in California, with an exemption added for the California Highway Patrol.
- Recent amendments also remove qualified-immunity protections for officers who knowingly and willfully violate the face-covering ban, drawing sharp opposition from major police groups.
- Supporters argue the policy is needed to ensure visible identification and accountability during immigration enforcement operations.
- Critics contend California cannot enforce such rules on federal personnel and warn agents use masks for safety amid reports of rising assaults on federal officers.