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<section number="18-124" name="Masks or facial coverings; prohibited" law="code" slug="sec-18-124" node_id="PTIITI17PULOLAPRGECOMA_SUBTITLE_18PO_DIV4MIPOMA_S18-124MAFACOPR">
  <level label="a">
    <text>Definitions. In this section, the following words mean:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Law Enforcement Agency means a federal, state, or local agency, department, bureau, office, or unit authorized to enforce criminal, civil, or immigration laws in the County.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Law Enforcement Officer means an individual who is:</text>
      <level label="A">
        <text>A sworn member of a law enforcement agency; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="B">
        <text>acting in the performance of official duties.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Face Covering means any balaclava, ski mask, neck gaiter, tactical mask, or any other item that conceals or obscures the face of an individual.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Protective Equipment includes:</text>
      <level label="A">
        <text>Respirators, including passive air purifying, powered air purifying respirators, and self-contained breathing apparatus.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="B">
        <text>Gas Masks, or similar protective masks designed to filter or isolate the wearer from toxic gases, vapors, aerosols, or airborne biological agents.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="C">
        <text>Hazardous materials protective gear (HAZMAT), including full-face or hooded protective ensembles required for response to chemical, biological, or environmental threats.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="D">
        <text>Fire-resistant or flame-retardant protective masks, hoods, or face coverings that are an integral component of firefighting or fire-suppression gear.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>Prohibited Conduct.</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a law enforcement officer shall not wear a face covering while interacting with a member of the public in the performance of official duties in Prince George's County.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Except as provided in subsection (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section, a law enforcement officer shall display the officer's name and identification number issued by the law enforcement agency who they represent without obstruction.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>Exceptions.</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Undercover Operations. While actively engaged in an undercover operation or covert activity where facial concealment is necessary to protect the officer's identity or safety, with a judicially issued warrant.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Tactical Operations. Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) officers or other substantially similar tactical units may utilize gear necessary to protect against physical harm and to perform tactical responsibilities such as hostage rescues, barricade incidents, active assailant situations, and other comparable operations.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Medical Protections. When wearing a medical-grade or surgical mask designed to prevent the transmission of airborne diseases or infection.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Fire or Smoke Gear. When wearing protective equipment is necessary to perform duties during a fire or fire-related incident.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>Biological or Chemical Agents. When wearing protective equipment related to protection against exposure to biological or chemical agents during an incident where such agents may be present.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>Water Rescue. When wearing protective equipment is necessary to perform duties during a water rescue operation.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>Vehicle Helmets. When a law enforcement officer is utilizing a motorcycle or other vehicle that requires a helmet for safe operations.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="8">
      <text>Inclement Weather. A law enforcement officer may wear facial coverings for warmth. They must remove or adjust the facial covering to comply with this section as soon as reasonably practicable when interacting with a member of the public.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>Penalties. A law enforcement officer found in violation of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, subject to imprisonment not to exceed six (6) months and up to a five thousand dollar ($5000) fine.</text>
  </level>
</section>
