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HB1259 • 2026

CRIME: Provides relative to wearing masks in public (EG SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

CRIME: Provides relative to wearing masks in public (EG SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

Crime
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Mike Bayham
Last action
2026-05-26
Official status
Pending Senate introduction
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on exemptions beyond mentioning R.S. 14:313(C), which is referenced but not detailed in the provided text.

Law on Wearing Masks During Felonies

This bill makes it a crime to wear a mask while committing certain felonies and adds extra time in prison for those who do.

What This Bill Does

  • Creates a new law that says if someone commits a felony or specific other crimes (like R.S. 14:329.7) while wearing a mask to hide their identity, they can get up to two more years added to their prison sentence.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who commit felonies while wearing a mask with the intent to hide their identity.
  • Law enforcement and courts that will enforce and apply these penalties.

Terms To Know

Felony
A serious crime, usually punishable by more than one year in prison or death penalty.
Masquerade ball
A party where guests wear masks and costumes to hide their identity.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify exactly when the new law will start.
  • It is unclear how this law will be enforced or if it will lead to more convictions.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment changes the wording to require a conviction, rather than just being charged, for certain mask-wearing offenses.

  • Changes the requirement from 'charged with a felony' to 'convicted of a felony'.
  • The exact impact on how mask-wearing laws are enforced is not clear without additional context.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-26 H

    Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 70, nays 29. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

  2. 2026-05-25 H

    Scheduled for floor debate on 05/26/2026.

  3. 2026-05-25 H

    Read by title, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.

  4. 2026-05-20 H

    Read by title, substitute title adopted, lies over in the same order of business, substitute for HB No. 255 reported by the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice (8-3).

Official Summary Text

CRIME: Provides relative to wearing masks in public (EG SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HLS 26RS-4018 REENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 1259 (Substitute for House Bill No. 255 by Representative Bayham)
BY REPRESENTATIVE BAYHAM
CRIME: Provides relative to wearing masks in public
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 14:313.2, relative to wearing masks while committing felonies; to provide for
3 enhanced penalties; to provide for exceptions; and to provide for related matters.
4 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
5 Section 1. R.S. 14:313.2 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
6 §313.2. Masked felony offense; enhanced penalty
7 A. Any person convicted of a felony offense or an offense punishable
8 pursuant to R.S. 14:329.7 and who, at the time of the commission of the offense, was
9 wearing a mask or other face covering with the intent to evade identification, shall
10 be subject to an enhanced penalty of up to two additional years of imprisonment with
11 or without hard labor.
12 B. The provisions of this Section do not apply to the exempted persons and
13 activities provided for in R.S. 14:313(C).
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 1259 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Bayham
Abstract: Provides enhanced penalties for felonies committed while wearing a mask.
Proposed law provides that anyone who wears a mask with the intent to evade identification
when committing a felony or other offense described in present law (R.S. 14:329.7) is
subject to up to two additional years of imprisonment with or without hard labor.
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-4018 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 1259
Proposed law does not apply to the exempted persons and activities in present law (R.S.
14:313(C)), including but not limited to masquerade balls, religious head coverings, persons
driving or riding a motorcycle, and persons wearing a helmet or mask for medical purposes.
(Adds R.S. 14:313.2)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Provide that the enhanced penalty applies upon conviction.
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.