Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that requires law enforcement to identify themselves and prohibits law enforcement from using facial coverings with certain exceptions in Vermont.

Highlights:

• Requires law enforcement officers to identify themselves by (Sec. 1):

• Their name or their unique radio or badge number displayed on their person; and

• Their agency displayed on their person.

• Prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing any mask or personal disguise while interacting with the public (Sec. 1).

• Exempts the following from the prohibition (Sec. 1):

• N95 masks;

• A mask designed to protect against smoke; 

• A mask necessary to perform duties; 

• A mask necessary to perform water rescue operation;

• A mask to protect against exposure to biological or chemical agents; and 

• A mask designed to protect against the cold from December 1 to April 1 when the forecast is -10 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

• Exempts Tactical Services Unit team officers who need to protect their faces from physical harm, Vermont Drug Task Force members who need personal disguises, and law enforcement officers who are conducting an undercover investigation of child sexual exploitation from the prohibition (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Vermont Criminal Justice Council to establish a policy governing the standards for law enforcement identification on or before January 1, 2027 (Sec. 1).

• Establishes a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for a first offense and a civil penalty of up to $2,500 for a second and subsequent offenses (Sec. 1).

• Establishes a Judicial Bureau under the supervision of the Supreme Court with jurisdiction over violations relating to law enforcement identification (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that this Act is effective upon passage (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that requires law enforcement to identify themselves and prohibits law enforcement from using facial coverings with certain exceptions in Vermont.

Highlights:

• Requires law enforcement officers to identify themselves by (Sec. 1):

• Their name or their unique radio or badge number displayed on their person; and

• Their agency displayed on their person.

• Prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing any mask or personal disguise while interacting with the public (Sec. 1).

• Exempts the following from the prohibition (Sec. 1):

• N95 masks;

• A mask designed to protect against smoke; 

• A mask necessary to perform duties; 

• A mask necessary to perform water rescue operation;

• A mask to protect against exposure to biological or chemical agents; and 

• A mask designed to protect against the cold from December 1 to April 1 when the forecast is -10 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

• Exempts Tactical Services Unit team officers who need to protect their faces from physical harm, Vermont Drug Task Force members who need personal disguises, and law enforcement officers who are conducting an undercover investigation of child sexual exploitation from the prohibition (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Vermont Criminal Justice Council to establish a policy governing the standards for law enforcement identification on or before January 1, 2027 (Sec. 1).

• Establishes a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for a first offense and a civil penalty of up to $2,500 for a second and subsequent offenses (Sec. 1).

• Establishes a Judicial Bureau under the supervision of the Supreme Court with jurisdiction over violations relating to law enforcement identification (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that this Act is effective upon passage (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires law enforcement to identify themselves and prohibits law enforcement from using facial coverings with certain exceptions in Vermont.

Highlights:

• Requires law enforcement officers to identify themselves by (Sec. 1):

• Their name or their unique radio or badge number displayed on their person; and

• Their agency displayed on their person.

• Prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing any mask or personal disguise while interacting with the public (Sec. 1).

• Exempts the following from the prohibition (Sec. 1):

• N95 masks;

• A mask designed to protect against smoke; 

• A mask necessary to perform duties; 

• A mask necessary to perform water rescue operation;

• A mask to protect against exposure to biological or chemical agents; and 

• A mask designed to protect against the cold from December 1 to April 1 when the forecast is -10 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

• Exempts Tactical Services Unit team officers who need to protect their faces from physical harm, Vermont Drug Task Force members who need personal disguises, and law enforcement officers who are conducting an undercover investigation of child sexual exploitation from the prohibition (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Vermont Criminal Justice Council to establish a policy governing the standards for law enforcement identification on or before January 1, 2027 (Sec. 1).

• Establishes a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for a first offense and a civil penalty of up to $2,500 for a second and subsequent offenses (Sec. 1).

• Establishes a Judicial Bureau under the supervision of the Supreme Court with jurisdiction over violations relating to law enforcement identification (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that this Act is effective upon passage (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text