The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.735, to modify the circumstances under which a person may conceal their identity in public. It establishes that wearing a robe, mask, or other disguise is generally considered a misdemeanor unless it is based on religious beliefs, incidental to amusement or entertainment, for protection from weather, or for medical treatment. Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions that allow for exceptions specifically for law enforcement officers while they are performing their official duties.

Under the new legal language, the bill clarifies that the restrictions on concealing identity do not apply to peace officers or federal law enforcement officers when they are acting in certain capacities. These exceptions include situations where an undercover officer needs to conceal their identity to maintain the integrity of an investigation or ensure their safety, as well as instances where a member of a tactical response team requires a face mask to significantly reduce the risk of serious permanent disfigurement to their face.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 609.735