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California bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session

California SB 627

Law enforcement: masks.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Passed House
  5. To Governor
  6. Became law

Sponsors

Cosponsors (33)

Summary

Official abstract published by the California legislature· summary

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. 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. This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Text versions

Roll-call votes

State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 8:06 AM.

DateVoteResultYour legislators
Sep 11, 2025
Senate		Unfinished Business SB627 Wiener et al. ConcurrencepassSet your home in California to see
Sep 11, 2025
Senate		Unfinished Business SB627 Wiener et al. ConcurrencepassSet your home in California to see
Sep 11, 2025
Senate		That the Assembly amendments be concurred inpassSet your home in California to see
Sep 11, 2025
Senate		Unfinished Business SB627 Wiener et al. Concurrence ReconsiderpassSet your home in California to see
Sep 10, 2025
House		SB 627 Wiener Senate Third Reading By CarrillopassSet your home in California to see
Aug 20, 2025
House		Do pass as amended.passSet your home in California to see
Jul 15, 2025
House		Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]passSet your home in California to see
May 8, 2025
Senate		Consent Calendar 2ndpassSet your home in California to see
Apr 29, 2025
Senate		Do pass and be ordered to the Consent CalendarpassSet your home in California to see
Apr 2, 2025
Senate		Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Housing] with the recommendation: To Consent CalendarpassSet your home in California to see

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