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SB2798 • 2026

Masks; prohibit entering upon public ways with the purpose of concealing the wearer.

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE WEARING OF MASKS IN A PUBLIC PLACE; TO DEFINE TERMS; TO CREATE EXEMPTIONS; TO PLACE A LIMITATION ON ENFORCEMENT; TO CREATE PENALTIES; TO PROVIDE FOR SEVERABILITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Children Crime
Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Hill
Last action
2026-02-03
Official status
Dead
Effective date
July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass, so there are no further details on enforcement mechanisms or specific penalties beyond what is stated in the summary.

Ban on Wearing Masks in Public Places

This bill prohibits wearing masks that hide the wearer's identity in public places and sets penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

  • Defines a 'mask' as any face covering that hides or covers part of the face to conceal the wearer's identity.
  • Prohibits people from entering, being present, or appearing in outdoor public areas while wearing such masks.
  • Lists exceptions to this ban for children under 14 years old, adults over 60 years old, those with health reasons for wearing a mask, participants in celebratory events where masks are customarily worn, and individuals protected by constitutional rights.
  • Limits law enforcement officers' ability to stop someone just because they are wearing a mask.
  • Sets fines or jail time as penalties for breaking the rules.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who wear masks in public places
  • Law enforcement officers

Terms To Know

Mask
A face covering that hides a person's identity
Public place
Outdoor areas and buildings owned or maintained by the government, like streets, parks, and public buildings.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass in its session.
  • It does not specify how it will be enforced or who will enforce it.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/03 (S) Died In Committee

  2. 2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/19 (S) Referred To Judiciary, Division B

Official Summary Text

Masks; prohibit entering upon public ways with the purpose of concealing the wearer.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
S. B. No. 2798 *SS36/R70.1* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/SS36/R70.1
PAGE 1 (ens\kr)

To: Judiciary, Division B
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Senator(s) Hill

SENATE BILL NO. 2798

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE WEARING OF MASKS IN A PUBLIC PLACE; TO 1
DEFINE TERMS; TO CREATE EXEMPTIONS; TO PLACE A LIMITATION ON 2
ENFORCEMENT; TO CREATE PENALTIES; TO PROVIDE FOR SEVERABILITY; AND 3
FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 5
SECTION 1. (1) For the purposes of this act, the following 6
words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context 7
clearly requires otherwise: 8
(a) "Mask" means any face covering mask, device or hood 9
whereby any portion of the face is so hidden or covered as to 10
conceal the identity of the wearer. 11
(b) "Public place" means all walks, alleys, boulevards, 12
avenues, lanes, roads, highways or other ways or thoroughfares 13
dedicated to public use or owned or maintained by a public 14
authority, and all outdoor grounds and buildings owned, leased by, 15
operated or maintained by a public authority. 16
(2) No person shall, while wearing any mask as defined in 17
subsection (1) of this section, enter, be present or appear in any 18
outdoor public place within this state. 19
S. B. No. 2798 *SS36/R70.1* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS36/R70.1
PAGE 2 (ens\kr)

(3) The following are exempted from the provisions of 20
subsection (2) of this section: 21
(a) Any person under fourteen (14) years of age; 22
(b) Any person sixty (60) years of age or older; 23
(c) Any person wearing a mask for health and safety 24
reasons, including, but not limited to, the prevention of illness, 25
protection of respiratory health, protection from environmental 26
hazards including weather or by order of a public authority; 27
(d) Any person wearing a mask due to participation in a 28
celebratory, holiday, recreational or cultural event, including 29
parades, festivals, theatrical productions and sporting events, 30
where masks are customarily worn; 31
(e) Any person wearing a gas mask in drills, exercises 32
or emergencies; and 33
(f) Any person engaging in an activity such that the 34
wearing of the mask is protected by the Constitution of the State 35
of Mississippi or the United States Constitution, including, but 36
not limited to, the free exercise of religion. 37
(4) Law enforcement officers shall not stop or detain an 38
individual solely on the basis that they are wearing a mask. 39
(5) (a) Violation of this section is punishable by a fine 40
of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or up to ninety 41
(90) days confinement, or both. 42
(b) If the court finds that a violator was committing 43
or attempting to commit a crime of violence while in violation of 44
S. B. No. 2798 *SS36/R70.1* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS36/R70.1
PAGE 3 (ens\kr)
ST: Masks; prohibit entering upon public ways
with the purpose of concealing the wearer.
this section, the penalty is increased to a fine of up to One 45
Thousand Dollars ($1000.00) or up to six (6) months in jail, or 46
both. 47
(6) If any provision of this section, or the application of 48
any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be 49
invalid, the remainder of this act and the application of its 50
provisions to any other person or circumstance shall not be 51
affected thereby. 52
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 53
and after July 1, 2026. 54