SB 627: Law enforcement: masks.

This bill aims to make it a crime for law enforcement officers to wear facial coverings in the performance of their duties, with some exceptions. A law enforcement officer is defined as anyone designated by California law as a peace officer or an officer of a federal law enforcement agency. The bill requires agencies to maintain and publicly post written policies limiting the use of facial coverings by July 1, 2026. Agencies exempt from the crime are those that have policies in place by July 1, 2026. Officers who wear facial coverings while committing a crime can face civil penalties for tortious conduct such as false imprisonment or false arrest. Agencies that fail to address deficiencies within 90 days can be sued in court. The bill declares its provisions to be severable, and the state will reimburse local agencies for certain costs mandated by the bill, with exceptions.