House Bill No. by Representative Bayham aims to enhance penalties for certain crimes committed while wearing a mask, hood, or other facial disguise. The bill enacts a new provision under R.S. 14:313(F), which allows courts to impose an additional two years of imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for offenders who conceal their identity with a mask during the commission of specific crimes. The crimes listed include serious offenses such as inciting a felony, battery of a police officer, aggravated assault upon a peace officer, and various forms of arson and vandalism, among others.

The proposed law retains existing prohibitions against wearing masks in certain situations while adding this new penalty enhancement for masked offenders. This legislative change is intended to deter individuals from committing crimes while disguised, thereby increasing accountability and safety in public spaces.