Wearing masks; unlawful for any person to wear with intent to conceal identity, penalty. (HB542)

Introduced By

Del. Delores McQuinn (D-Richmond)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Wearing masks during commission of crime; penalty. Provides that a person who wears a mask, hood, or other device that hides or covers a substantial portion of the face with the intent to conceal his identity while committing or attempting to commit a felony is guilty of a Class 6 felony and that such person is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor if the mask is worn while he is committing or attempting to commit a Class 1 misdemeanor. Under current law, it is a Class 6 felony for any person over 16 years of age to wear a mask in public or on private property without the consent of the owner, subject to certain exceptions. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Passed

History

DateAction
01/06/2014Committee
01/06/2014Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/08/14 14101107D
01/06/2014Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
01/07/2014Impact statement from VCSC (HB542)
02/04/2014Assigned Courts sub: Criminal Law
02/05/2014Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (11-Y 0-N)
02/07/2014Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (22-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/07/2014Committee substitute printed 14104749D-H1
02/08/2014Read first time
02/10/2014Read second time
02/10/2014Committee substitute agreed to 14104749D-H1
02/10/2014Engrossed by House - committee substitute HB542H1
02/11/2014Read third time and passed House (99-Y 0-N)
02/11/2014VOTE: PASSAGE (99-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/12/2014Constitutional reading dispensed
02/12/2014Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
02/17/2014Reported from Courts of Justice (15-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/18/2014Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N)
02/19/2014Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)
02/19/2014Read third time
02/19/2014Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
02/21/2014Enrolled
02/21/2014Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB542ER)
02/21/2014Impact statement from DPB (HB542ER)
02/21/2014Signed by Speaker
02/23/2014Signed by President
03/05/2014G Approved by Governor-Chapter 167 (effective 7/1/14)
03/05/2014G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0167)

Video

This bill was discussed on the floor of the General Assembly. Below is all of the video that we have of that discussion, 3 clips in all, totaling 5 minutes.

Comments

Waldo Jaquith writes:

Bravo. The current law is enormous overkill. A felony for wearing a mask? (Today, courtesy of the "polar vortex," I wore a full-face mask, in the form of a balaclava, which was illegal under § 18.2-442.) This is a good change.