1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to public safety; modifying circumstances when a person may conceal
1.3 their identity in public and creating specific exceptions for law enforcement officers;
1.4 amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.735.
1.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.735, is amended to read:
1.7 609.735 CONCEALING IDENTITY.
1.8 (a) A person whose identity is concealed by the person in a public place by means of a
1.9 robe, mask, or other disguise, unless based on religious beliefs, or incidental to amusement,
1.10 entertainment, protection from weather, protection from smoke, gas, or other airborne toxin,
1.11 or medical treatment, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
1.12 (b) This section does not apply to a peace officer, as defined in section 626.84, subdivision
1.13 1, paragraph (c), or a federal law enforcement officer, as defined in section 626.77,
1.14 subdivision 3, while performing official duties as:
1.15 (1) an undercover officer and concealment of the officer's identity is necessary to preserve
1.16 the integrity of the investigation or the officer's safety; or
1.17 (2) a member of a tactical response team when a face mask will substantially reduce a
1.18 known risk of serious permanent disfigurement to the officer's face.
