HB 691

As Introduced
136th General Assembly
   Regular Session  H. B. No. 691
       2025-2026
  Representatives Brownlee, Thomas, C.
 Cosponsors: Representatives Abdullahi, Baker, Brent, Brewer, Bryant Bailey,
Cockley, Grim, Jarrells, Lett, McNally, Miller, J., Mohamed, Piccolantonio, Rader,
  Robinson, Russo, Sigrist, Sims, Somani, Upchurch, Synenberg, White, E.
  To enact section 2921.50 of the Revised Code to  1
  enact the Community and Police Protection Act to  2
  regulate law enforcement officers' use of masks.  3
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
     Section 1. That section 2921.50 of the Revised Code be  4
enacted to read as follows:  5
     Sec. 2921.50. (A) As used in this section, "federal law  6
enforcement officer" means an employee of the United States who  7
serves in a position the duties of which are primarily the  8
investigation, apprehension, or detention of individuals  9
suspected or convicted of offenses under the criminal laws of  10
the United States or found to have committed offenses under the  11
civil laws of the United States.  12
     (B) No law enforcement officer or federal law enforcement  13
officer shall purposefully wear any mask or personal disguise  14
while interacting with the public in the performance of the  15
officer's duties, except for the following:  16
     (1) Medical grade masks that are surgical or N95 or KN95  17
H. B. No. 691  Page 2
As Introduced
respirators designed to prevent the transmission of airborne  18
diseases and worn for that purpose;  19
       (2) Masks designed to protect against exposure to smoke or  20
other environmental dangers and worn for that purpose;  21
       (3) Masks or other protective equipment used by special  22
weapons and tactics team officers in the performance of those  23
officers' duties and worn for that purpose.  24
       (C) Law enforcement officers and federal law enforcement  25
officers shall display the officer's name and badge number as  26
part of the officer's uniform.  27
       (D) Whoever violates division (B) or (C) of this section  28
is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.  29
       (E) This section does not apply to a law enforcement  30
officer while the officer is engaged in an undercover  31
assignment.  32
       (F) If any provision of this section, or the application  33
of any provision of this section to any person or circumstance,  34
is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions  35
or applications of this section or related sections that can be  36
given effect without the invalid provision or application. To  37
this end, the provisions are severable.  38
       Section 2. This act shall be known as the Community and  39
Police Protection Act.  40