Relating to facial coverings worn by peace officers and providing penalties

Sponsored by Sen. Liz Bennett (D), Sen. Molly Donahue (D), Sen. Janet Petersen (D), Sen. Art Staed (D)

Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 26, 2026
Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 28, 2026
Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
Next: Passes the Senate
Next: House committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
Next: Passes the House
Next: To the Governor
Next: Signed into law

Died when the session ended The General Assembly adjourned on October 2, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill relates to facial coverings worn by peace officers. The bill provides that a peace officer shall not wear a facial covering in the performance of the officer’s duties. A “facial covering” is defined as any opaque mask, garment, helmet, headgear, or other item that conceals or obscures the facial identity of an individual including but not limited to a balaclava, tactical mask, gator, ski mask, and any similar type of facial covering or face-shielding item. The bill lists items not considered to be a “facial covering”.

Read the full explanation

A person who violates the bill is guilty of a serious misdemeanor. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $430 but not more than $2,560. The bill provides that a peace officer who is found to have committed an assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, abuse of process, or malicious prosecution, while wearing a facial covering in a knowing and willful violation of the bill, is not entitled to assert any privilege or immunity for the officer’s tortious conduct against a claim of civil liability, and shall be liable to the injured individual for actual damages or statutory damages of not less than $10,000, whichever is greater.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text

Senate subcommittee

Named January 28, 2026. It hasn’t reported yet.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

Iowa Code it changes

Creates§804.5A

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works

Lobbying

1 for · 2 against · 1 undecided · Who →

Similar bills

HF 2233 Relating to facial coverings worn by peace officers and providing penalties
91st General Assembly · In committee
Nearly identical

Matched by the wording of each bill’s explanation, or an identical title. Companion bills and renumbered versions of this bill aren’t listed; they’re the same bill.