PHOENIX, Arizona — The Arizona House has approved legislation increasing criminal penalties for individuals who wear masks while committing crimes, while rejecting a proposal that would have barred law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings on duty.
House Bill 2862, introduced by Rep. Quang Nguyen (R-Prescott Valley), would enhance sentences for offenders who deliberately conceal their identity during the commission of a crime. Nguyen argued during a House Judiciary Committee hearing that masking can signal premeditation and make it harder for police to identify suspects and gather evidence.
Democratic lawmakers and civil rights advocates raised concerns that the bill could disproportionately impact Muslim women who wear religious face coverings. Martin Quezada, a former Democratic lawmaker now with the Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said religious garments are protected under the First Amendment and should not be treated as concealment for sentencing purposes.
An amendment adopted before final passage allows courts to exempt individuals wearing face coverings based on sincerely held religious beliefs and subjects law enforcement officers to the same sentencing enhancements if they commit crimes while masked.
However, House Republicans voted down a separate amendment that would have prohibited officers from wearing masks while performing official duties. The measure passed 31-25 along party lines and now heads to the Arizona Senate.
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