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WA Senate passes ban on Police Face Coverings
washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/28/w...
— Democratic Activists (@democratswin.bsky.social) 2026-01-29T05:41:35.747Z
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/28/wa-senate-passes-ban-on-police-face-coverings/
The Washington state Senate voted Wednesday to ban law enforcement from covering their faces in response to growing concerns over masked federal immigration agents.
Senate Bill 5855 would cover local, state and federal law enforcement, with limited exceptions for uses like personal protective equipment and undercover or SWAT operations. The proposal is sure to face legal hurdles if it becomes law.
Under the legislation, people detained by masked officers could sue them in their official capacity, potentially opening up governments to legal liability.
Democratic senators passed it on a party-line 30-19 vote with no Republican support.