New Jersey legislators are eyeing a pair of state bills that could ban federal and local law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings while on duty.
The legislative push comes amid criticism from blue states and cities regarding federal immigration enforcement officers who wear masks while conducting operations. California recently passed a similar bill to the one proposed in the Garden State, called the “No Secret Police Act,” and the Trump administration filed a lawsuit to block it after telling federal officers not to comply with it.
The New Jersey legislature has two companion bills on the matter: one in the state Senate, sponsored by Democratic state Rep. Benjie Wimberly, and one in the Assembly, primarily sponsored by three Democratic Assembly members.
“This bill prohibits the wearing of any mask or disguise by a law enforcement officer while interacting with the public in the performance of the officer’s official duties,” the bill says.
The bill defines a law enforcement officer as “a member of any federal, State, county or municipal law enforcement agency, department, or division of those governments who is statutorily empowered to act for the detection, investigation, arrest, conviction, or detention of persons violating the laws of this State or of the United States.”
It also sets a fine of between $500 and $1,000 and/or up to six months in jail for officers who wear face coverings and violate the potential law.
Wimberly told the New Jersey Monitor that, in addition to his concerns about community fear surrounding Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, he is concerned about bad actors masquerading as them.
“I’m sure somebody is working on a scheme right now about how they can rob some place, posed as ICE agents,” Wimberly told the outlet. “It’s very scary times.”
Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill‘s (D-NJ) office did not respond to the Washington Examiner‘s request for comment on the bills.
MIA CATHELL TESTIFIES ON ANTI-ICE UPRISINGS AT SENATE JUDICIARY HEARING
On the campaign trail, Sherrill said she supports prohibiting immigration officers from wearing identity-concealing masks, calling the face-covering tactic “unacceptable.”
The state Senate bill, introduced on Nov. 13, currently sits in the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee, and the Assembly bill, introduced on Monday, currently sits in the Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee.
