WashingtonWashington law bars officers from masking faces during public interactions
Washington law bars officers from wearing face coverings during public interactions on duty, with exceptions for undercover work and certain protective gear.
What it does
Officers may not wear face coverings while interacting with the public on duty. Exceptions include active undercover work and protective gear needed for safety.
Someone detained in violation of the rule may sue the officer. If that person wins, the court may award damages, legal fees, or other relief.
Argument forPeople detained by an officer who breaks the face-covering rule could seek damages and other court relief through a civil lawsuit.
Argument againstPeople who win these cases may receive damages and legal fees, so officers could face costly litigation over whether a detention broke the rule.
More detail
Law enforcement officers must not wear facial coverings while interacting with the public in the course of their duties. This covers state peace officers and certain federal employees who can carry firearms and make arrests without a warrant while enforcing criminal, customs, or immigration laws. The rule does not cover clear shields or masks, masks used to prevent disease or protect against hazards, vehicle helmets, or religious coverings. Exceptions also allow active undercover work, necessary face protection for special weapons and tactics teams, and protective equipment required or allowed by workplace safety rules. The law took effect March 19, 2026.
A person detained in violation of the face-covering rule may sue the officer in the officer’s official capacity. The right to sue applies to a person detained by a law enforcement officer in violation of the rule. A winning claimant may request compensation, punitive damages, legal fees and costs, an order requiring action, or other relief the court finds appropriate. The officer is not liable if, at the time of detention, the officer displayed a name or other information that the public could see and the agency could use to identify the officer. The law took effect March 19, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 19Effective date 3/19/2026.Latest
- Mar 19Chapter 115, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 19Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 11Speaker signed.Major
- Mar 10President signed.Passed House
- Mar 9Passed final passage; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the House (#19). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 9Senate concurred in House amendments.
- Mar 3Third reading, passed; yeas, 56; nays, 37; absent, 0; excused, 5.Minor
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the House (#18). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 3Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.
- Feb 27Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 25Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 23Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Feb 23CS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).Minor
- Feb 23Executive action taken in the House Committee on Community Safety at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 18Public hearing in the House Committee on Community Safety at 10:30 AM.
- Jan 30First reading, referred to Community Safety.Minor
- Jan 28Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#6). Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 28Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Jan 281st substitute bill substituted (LAW 26).Major
- Jan 21Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Jan 16Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Jan 15Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Jan 15LAW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Jan 15Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.
- Jan 13Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 8:00 AM.
- Jan 12First reading, referred to Law & Justice.Minor
- 2025
- Dec 8Prefiled for introduction.Introduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety