HF3412 • 2026

Circumstances when a person may conceal their identity in public modified and specific exceptions for law enforcement officers created.

Energy

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Finke, Moller, Sencer-Mura, Pinto, Greenman, Gomez, Kozlowski, Hollins, Freiberg, Frazier, Lee, K., Reyer, Howard, Clardy, Mahamoud, Kraft, Johnson, P., Lee, F., Agbaje, Coulter, Greene, Gottfried, Smith, Youakim, Keeler, Acomb, Noor, Virnig, Pursell, Falconer, Curran, Lee, X., Pérez-Vega, Berg, Xiong
Last action: 2026-03-02
Official status: Motion to suspend rules
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how police can hide their identities during undercover work or tactical operations.

When People Can Hide Their Identity in Public

This law changes rules about hiding your identity in public and makes specific exceptions for police officers.

What This Bill Does

Changes the rules on when people can hide their faces or wear masks in public places, allowing it if based on religious beliefs, amusement, entertainment, protection from weather, smoke, gas, or other airborne toxins.
Adds new exceptions for peace officers and federal law enforcement agents who need to conceal their identity while working undercover or during tactical operations.

Who It Names or Affects

People who want to hide their identities in public places under certain conditions.
Peace officers and federal law enforcement agents.

Terms To Know

Undercover officer: A police officer working secretly without showing they are a cop.
Tactical response team: A group of specially trained police officers who handle dangerous situations.

Limits and Unknowns

The law does not provide detailed guidelines on how peace officers and federal agents can hide their identities during undercover work or tactical operations.
It's unclear what specific risks are considered when allowing police to wear masks during tactical operations.

Bill History

2026-03-02 House
Motion to suspend rules
2026-02-19 House
Author added Xiong
2026-02-17 House
Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy

Official Summary Text

Circumstances when a person may conceal their identity in public modified and specific exceptions for law enforcement officers created.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

A bill for an act

relating to public safety; modifying circumstances when a person may conceal

their identity in public and creating specific exceptions for law enforcement officers;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.735.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.735, is amended to read:

609.735 CONCEALING IDENTITY.

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(a)
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A person whose identity is concealed by the person in a public place by means of a

robe, mask, or other disguise, unless based on religious beliefs, or incidental to amusement,

entertainment, protection from weather,
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protection from smoke, gas, or other airborne toxin,
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or medical treatment, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

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(b) This section does not apply to a peace officer, as defined in section 626.84, subdivision

1, paragraph (c), or a federal law enforcement officer, as defined in section 626.77,

subdivision 3, while performing official duties as:

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(1) an undercover officer and concealment of the officer's identity is necessary to preserve

the integrity of the investigation or the officer's safety; or

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(2) a member of a tactical response team when a face mask will substantially reduce a

known risk of serious permanent disfigurement to the officer's face.

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