HB 1259

HLS 26RS-4018  REENGROSSED
 2026 Regular Session
 HOUSE BILL NO. 1259  (Substitute for House Bill No. 255 by Representative Bayham)
 BY REPRESENTATIVE BAYHAM
 CRIME: Provides relative to wearing masks in public
1AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 14:313.2, relative to wearing masks while committing felonies; to provide for
3enhanced penalties; to provide for exceptions; and to provide for related matters.
4 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
5Section 1. R.S. 14:313.2 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
6§313.2. Masked felony offense; enhanced penalty
7A. Any person convicted of a felony offense or an offense punishable
8pursuant to R.S. 14:329.7 and who, at the time of the commission of the offense, was
9wearing a mask or other face covering with the intent to evade identification, shall
10be subject to an enhanced penalty of up to two additional years of imprisonment with
11or without hard labor.
12B. The provisions of this Section do not apply to the exempted persons and
13activities provided for in R.S. 14:313(C).
  DIGEST
 The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
 of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
 part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
 HB 1259 Reengrossed  2026 Regular Session  Bayham
 Abstract: Provides enhanced penalties for felonies committed while wearing a mask.
 Proposed law provides that anyone who wears a mask with the intent to evade identification
 when committing a felony or other offense described in present law (R.S. 14:329.7) is
 subject to up to two additional years of imprisonment with or without hard labor.
  Page 1 of 2
 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
 are additions.
HLS 26RS-4018  REENGROSSED
  HB NO. 1259
Proposed law does not apply to the exempted persons and activities in present law (R.S.
14:313(C)), including but not limited to masquerade balls, religious head coverings, persons
driving or riding a motorcycle, and persons wearing a helmet or mask for medical purposes.
(Adds R.S. 14:313.2)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
   The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
   1.      Provide that the enhanced penalty applies upon conviction.
  Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.