BOISE, ID – Legislation introduced in the Idaho Senate would prohibit most law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while performing their duties.
Senate Bill 1246, introduced by Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking, D-Boise, would add a new section to Idaho law establishing limits on facial coverings worn by law enforcement officers. The measure was introduced Jan. 30 and has been referred to the Senate State Affairs Committee.
The bill defines a facial covering as any opaque mask, helmet, garment or similar item that conceals or obscures an officer’s facial identity. The definition includes items such as balaclavas, gaiters, tactical masks and ski masks. The bill specifies several exceptions, including clear face shields, medical masks used to prevent disease transmission, protective equipment required for hazardous environmental conditions, underwater breathing equipment, motorcycle helmets worn during official duties and eyewear used to protect against retinal weapons such as lasers.
Under the proposed law, law enforcement officers would generally be prohibited from wearing facial coverings that obscure their identity while performing official duties, unless certain exceptions apply.
Exceptions listed in the bill include active undercover operations authorized by supervising personnel or court order, tactical operations requiring protective gear for safety, occupational health and safety requirements, identity protection during prosecution, SWAT team operations and reasonable accommodation requirements under applicable law.
The legislation states that a willful and knowing violation of the proposed restrictions could be punished as either an infraction or a misdemeanor.
The bill also outlines potential civil liability. It states that an officer found to have committed certain offenses — including assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, abuse of process or malicious prosecution — while knowingly and willfully violating the facial covering restrictions would not be entitled to assert privilege or immunity in civil claims. The officer could be held liable for actual damages or statutory damages of at least $10,000, whichever is greater.
The bill includes an emergency clause and would take effect July 1, 2026, if approved by the Legislature and signed into law.
As of Feb. 2, the bill had been reported printed and referred to the Senate State Affairs Committee for consideration.
