States advance laws limiting face coverings for law enforcement officers
The Facts
- A federal court blocked California’s first anti-masking law for law enforcement officers, and that ruling helped spur similar proposals in other states.
- Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a law limiting facial coverings for law enforcement officers, and it took effect immediately.
- The Washington law applies to law enforcement officers broadly, including state and local police, not only federal immigration agents.
- Similar anti-masking bills won final approval in Oregon and Virginia earlier in the month.
- Anti-masking proposals have also cleared at least one chamber in Hawaii, Maryland and Vermont.
- Supporters of the Washington measure said it was about accountability and public identification of officers during public-facing duties.
- Opponents in Washington argued the bill was unconstitutional.
Context
Why did these state bills gain momentum now?
The reporting says the proposals gained new life after a federal judge blocked California’s anti-masking law, which had been the first of its kind in the country Cumberland Times-Ne…,POLITICO.
Does the Washington law only affect federal immigration agents?
No. The Washington measure applies to law enforcement officers broadly, including state and local police, while also being aimed at the use of masks by federal immigration agents Spokesman Review,Yakima Herald-Repub…,My Bellingham Now -.
What happened in other states besides Washington?
According to the reports, similar bills won final approval in Oregon and Virginia, and proposals advanced at least one chamber in Hawaii, Maryland and Vermont Daily Mail,U.S. News & World R…,WTOP.
The receipts — 20 sources
Independent coverage (20)
The news, read by both sides.
The day’s biggest stories in one short brief, built to show both sides and the competing values behind the headlines. Free in your inbox.