Law Enforcement

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Stop American Gestapo Act (SAGA)

This bill makes it illegal for law enforcement officers to wear masks or face coverings while on duty unless they are protecting against diseases or natural disasters, and requires officers to display their names and badge numbers clearly.

What This Bill Does

• Creates a new rule that says police officers cannot wear masks, face coverings, or disguises when talking to the public if it is not for safety reasons like preventing disease spread or during emergencies.
• Allows police officers to wear masks or face coverings if they are N95 certified by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to prevent diseases or if designed to protect against smoke or other particles during a natural disaster emergency.
• Permits SWAT team members to use protective gear that covers their faces when performing their duties.
• Requires police officers to show their names and badge numbers clearly on their uniforms or clothing while interacting with the public.

Who It Names or Affects

• Law enforcement officers in Tennessee
• The public who interact with law enforcement officers

Terms To Know

Class C misdemeanor

A type of minor criminal offense that can result in a fine or short jail time.

N95 classification

A standard for masks and respirators certified by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to protect against airborne particles.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how much it will cost or who will pay for enforcing these rules.
• It is unclear what impact this law might have on undercover police operations.

Official Summary Text

This bill enacts the
"Stop American Gestapo Act (SAGA)
,
"
which creates a Class C misdemeanor for
an officer of a local, state, or federal law enforcement agency, or a person acting on behalf of a local, state, or federal law enforcement agency
("
law enforcement officer
")

who
wear
s
a mask, face covering, or personal disguise while interacting with the public in the performance of the law enforcement officer's official duties.

However, such an
officer
is not subject to the above offense
while interacting with the public in the performance of the officer's official duties
if the officer
wear
s
a mask or face covering that
(i) m
eets the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health N95 classification for the purpose of preventing the transmission of airborne diseases
,
or
(ii) i
s designed to protect against exposure to smoke or other airborne particles during a state of emergency related to a natural disaster
. Addition
ally, s
pecial weapons and tactics (SWAT) team officers may utilize gear necessary to protect the officers' faces from physical harm while in the performance of SWAT responsibilities.

This bill also creates a Class C misdemeanor for a
law enforcement officer to interact with the public in the performance of the officer's official duties without clearly displaying the officer's name or badge number on the officer's uniform or other clothing in a manner that is visible to the public.

Current Bill Text

SENATE BILL 2011
By Kyle

HOUSE BILL 1442
By Jones J
HB1442
008772
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38
and Title 39, relative to law enforcement officers.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. This act is known and may be cited as the "Stop American Gestapo Act
(SAGA)."
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 1, is amended by
adding the following as a new section:
(a) As used in this section, "law enforcement officer" means an officer of a local,
state, or federal law enforcement agency, or a person acting on behalf of a local, state,
or federal law enforcement agency.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c), it is an offense for a law enforcement
officer to wear a mask, face covering, or personal disguise while interacting with the
public in the performance of the law enforcement officer's official duties.
(c) Notwithstanding subsection (b):
(1) A law enforcement officer may, while interacting with the public in the
performance of the officer's official duties, wear a mask or face covering that:
(A) Meets the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health N95 classification for the purpose of preventing the transmission of
airborne diseases; or
(B) Is designed to protect against exposure to smoke or other
airborne particles during a state of emergency related to a natural
disaster; and

- 2 - 008772

(2) Special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team officers may utilize gear
necessary to protect the officers' faces from physical harm while in the
performance of SWAT responsibilities.
(d) It is an offense for a law enforcement officer to interact with the public in the
performance of the officer's official duties without clearly displaying the officer's name or
badge number on the officer's uniform or other clothing in a manner that is visible to the
public.
(e) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
SECTION 3. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it.