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Bill Summary · HB 1132

Summary of HB 1132 (Session 2025, North Carolina) — LEO Facial Coverings and Identifications

Purpose and intent

  • The bill seeks to regulate facial coverings worn by law enforcement officers and to require clear identification of officers on uniforms and upon request.
  • It aims to restrict the use of facial coverings by officers in performance of duties, with defined exceptions, and to promote transparency, accountability, and public trust.

Key provisions and changes

1) Regulation of facial coverings (new G.S. § 17F-22)

  • Definitions
    • Facial covering: Any opaque mask or item obscuring the wearer’s facial identity (e.g., balaclava, tactical mask, ski mask, face shield). Excludes:
    • Translucent face shields or clear masks that do not conceal identity
    • Masks for disease protection (e.g., N95, surgical masks) or PPE for toxin/hazard protection
    • Helmets protecting the head during transport
    • Head/face coverings worn for religious purposes
  • Prohibition
    • Generally prohibits wearing facial coverings in the performance of duties by law enforcement officers.
  • Exceptions (allowed facial coverings)
    • Active undercover operations
    • Tactical operations where protective gear is required for safety
    • Protection of identity during prosecution
    • Situations governed by occupational health and safety laws
    • Situations governed by reasonable accommodations laws
  • Agency policy requirement
    • Each law enforcement agency must maintain, publicly post, and enforce a written policy on wearing facial coverings, including:
    • A purpose statement emphasizing transparency, accountability, public trust, and limited use
    • A prohibition on wearing facial coverings except in the listed exceptions
    • The list of exceptions from subsection (c)
  • Enforcement
    • The Attorney General may bring suit against any agency in the state that knowingly or willfully violates the requirements.
  • Waiver of privilege/immunity
    • Officers who commit assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, or malicious prosecution while wearing a facial covering in violation of the act may not invoke privilege or immunity against civil liability, unless the officer was compliant with G.S. 17F-23(b) at the time of the tortious conduct.

2) Identification requirements (new G.S. § 17F-23)

  • Definition
    • Uses the same definition of “law enforcement officer” as in § 17F-22.
  • Uniform identification
    • All law enforcement officers in the state must wear clear and accurate identification of their agency on their uniforms.
    • The identification may not be misrepresented.
  • Identification on request
    • Officers must identify themselves by name or badge number clearly and accurately upon any request.

3) Legal and procedural provisions

  • Severability
    • If any provision is held invalid, remaining provisions continue to have effect.
  • Appropriation (training)
    • Appropriates $500,000 in nonrecurring General Fund funds for FY 2026-2027 to the Department of Justice to establish a training program and materials related to the act’s facial covering requirements.
  • Effective date
    • The act becomes effective upon passage.

Who/what is affected

  • State, local, and federal law enforcement agencies operating in North Carolina (as to facial coverings and agency policies).
  • Individual law enforcement officers (as to wearing coverings and required identifications).
  • Department of Justice (enforcement, training, and potential litigation under the act).

Potential impact and considerations

  • Increased transparency and public accountability through mandatory agency policies and officer identifications.
  • Narrowed use of facial coverings, with clearly defined exceptions for safety, undercover work, and other specific scenarios.
  • Potential litigation risk for agencies that violate the provisions.
  • Financial investment for training and materials to implement the new requirements.

Note: This summary reflects the bill text as of the April 29, 2026 filing date.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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