KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to Indiana

HB1233 • 2026

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning criminal law and procedure.

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning criminal law and procedure.

Children Crime
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Representative Tim Yocum
Last action
2026-01-05
Official status
Introduced House Bill (H)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific definitions for 'public assembly', leaving some ambiguity in how this term will be interpreted.

Law About Wearing Masks at Public Gatherings

This law makes it illegal to wear masks at public assemblies in Indiana, with harsher penalties for repeat offenses and during certain crimes.

What This Bill Does

  • Makes wearing a mask at a public assembly a Class C misdemeanor.
  • Increases the penalty to a Class A misdemeanor if someone wears a mask at a public assembly more than once before.
  • Raises the punishment for rioting or disorderly conduct to a Level 6 felony when committed while wearing a mask.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who attend public assemblies in Indiana
  • Law enforcement agencies that enforce these laws

Terms To Know

Class C misdemeanor
A minor crime with a small punishment, like a fine.
Level 6 felony
A serious crime that can lead to jail time and fines.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what counts as a public assembly.
  • It is unclear how this law will be enforced in practice.
  • There are no details on when the new rules would start.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-05 House

    Authored by Representative Yocum

  2. 2026-01-05 House

    Coauthored by Representative Haggard

  3. 2026-01-05 House

    First reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning criminal law and procedure.
Masking offenses.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning criminal law and procedure.

Masking offenses.

Makes wearing a mask at a public assembly a Class C misdemeanor, and increases the penalty to a Class A misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense. Increases the penalty for rioting and disorderly conduct to a Level 6 felony if the offense is committed while wearing a mask.