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VA HB1482

Bill

Status

Engrossed

2/11/2026

Primary Sponsor

Charlie Schmidt

Click for details

Origin

House of Delegates

2026 Regular Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Prohibits law-enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings that conceal their identity while performing official duties, with exceptions for medical conditions, religious practices, weather protection, and tactical operations
  • Requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services to establish a model policy for law-enforcement agencies on facial covering restrictions, including guidelines for supervising officers
  • Amends existing Virginia mask prohibition law (§18.2-422) to cross-reference the new law-enforcement facial covering provisions
  • Adds the facial covering policy requirement to the 73 existing powers and duties of the Criminal Justice Services Board
  • Violations would apply to both individual officers wearing prohibited facial coverings and supervisors who allow subordinate officers to do so

Legislative Description

Law-enforcement officers; restrictions on wearing of facial coverings, required identification.

Last Action

Conference report agreed to by House (62-Y 35-N 0-A)

3/14/2026

Committee Referrals

Finance and Appropriations2/25/2026
Courts of Justice2/13/2026
Militia, Police and Public Safety: Subcommittee #31/28/2026
Public Safety1/23/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available