AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND COMMUNITY PROTECTION ACT. (Prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing masks without an exception and criminal and civil penalties for violations.)

S2608

2026 -- S 2608
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LC004842
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND
COMMUNITY PROTECTION ACT.

Introduced By:
Senators Kallman, DiPalma, McKenney, Mack, Acosta, Euer, Bissaillon,
Urso, Zurier, Murray, and DiMario

Date Introduced:
February 13, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Findings.
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The Legislature finds and declares:
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(1) That the routine use of facial coverings by law enforcement officers has significant
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implications for public perception, officer-community interactions, and accountability.
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(2) Whether intended or not, members of the public may experience fear or intimidation
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when approached by officers whose faces are obscured. This perception can heighten defensive
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behaviors and unnecessarily escalate situations.
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(3) Facial coverings limit the visibility of facial expressions, which are essential
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components of nonverbal communication. In high-stress or emotionally charged interactions, the
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inability to read an officer’s expression may lead to misinterpretation of tone or intent, increasing
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the risk of conflict escalation.
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(4) The visibility of an officer’s face is vital for promoting transparency, facilitating
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communication, and building trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities they
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serve.
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(5) When officers are not readily identifiable, it increases the risk of impersonation by
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unauthorized individuals, which further undermines public trust, endangers public safety, and
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hinders legitimate law enforcement operations.
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(6) The use of facial coverings by law enforcement should not obscure officer identity or

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hinder accountability, nor should those coverings be used in a manner that enables or conceals
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discriminatory or unlawful conduct.
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SECTION 2. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND
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GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 28.11
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THE RHODE ISLAND COMMUNITY PROTECTION ACT
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42-28.11-1. Definitions.

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(1) "Law enforcement officer" means any of the following:
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(i) Any person described under § 42-28.6-1;
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(ii) Any person employed by a law enforcement agency of another state; and
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(iii) Any person employed by a federal law enforcement agency.
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42-28.11-2. Masks and disguises prohibited.

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(a) Law enforcement officers under this chapter shall not wear any mask or personal
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disguise while interacting with the public in the performance of their official duties unless an
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exemption under subsection (b) of this section applies.
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(b) The following exemptions to subsection (a) of this section shall apply:
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(1) Law enforcement officers engaging in an undercover assignment in the regular
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performance of their duties;
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(2) Wearing masks that are surgical or N95 respirators designed and as needed to prevent
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the transmission of airborne diseases;
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(3) Wearing masks designed and as needed to protect against exposure to smoke during a
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fire involved situation;
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(4) Wearing masks necessary to perform duties during a water rescue operation;
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(5) Wearing masks related to protection against exposure to biological or chemical agents
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during an incident where such agents may be present;
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(6) Wearing masks designed and as needed to protect against exposure to cold during a
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declared weather emergency;
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(7) Special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team officers utilizing gear necessary to protect
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their faces from physical harm while they perform their SWAT responsibilities; or
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(8) Law enforcement officers engaged in high-risk situations including, but not limited to,
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a shootout, standoff, hostage-taking situation, or terrorist situation, where a mask provides physical
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protection to the face.
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42-28.11-3. Criminal liability.

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A violation of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor and violators, upon conviction,

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shall be imprisoned not exceeding one year or be fined not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000).
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42-28.11-4. Civil liability.

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Notwithstanding any other general or public law to the contrary, any person who is found
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to have committed an assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, abuse of process, or
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malicious prosecution, while wearing a mask or disguise in a knowing and willful violation of this
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section shall not be entitled to assert any privilege or immunity for their tortious conduct against a
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claim of civil liability, and shall be liable to that individual for the greater of actual damages or
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statutory damages of not less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), whichever is greater.
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42-28.11-5. Severability.

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The provisions of this chapter are severable. If any provision of this chapter or its
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application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can
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be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
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SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND
COMMUNITY PROTECTION ACT.
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This act would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing masks without an exception
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granted by this act and would impose criminal and civil liability for violations.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004842
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