Nassau County approves public mask ban, with some exemptions

MINEOLA, N.Y. -- Nassau County lawmakers passed a bill making it a crime for anyone to wear a mask or face covering to hide their identity in public.

The vote on the controversial Mask Transparency Act split along party lines, with 12 Republicans voting for it and seven Democrats abstaining.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who has spoken in support of the bill, is now expected to sign it.

Mask Transparency Act carries up $1,000 fine or 1 year in jail

The Mask Transparency Act was introduced in response to antisemitic incidents that authorities said were often committed by people wearing masks .

The ban makes mask-wearing a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to a year in jail or a $1,000 fine.

Supporters claim the measure will help combat crimes committed during protests and only applies to bad actors, not those wearing face coverings for religious or health reasons.

But opponents, including the American Civil Liberties Union and Democratic leaders, called the law flawed and dangerous for allowing police to stop and question any person in public who is wearing a mask, even if no crime is being committed.

Democratic lawmakers tried introducing emergency legislation to amend the bill, but their proposal was not on Monday night's agenda .

Nassau County residents split over mask ban

Much like county lawmakers, residents seem to be split over the contentious bill.

"To be honest with you, I feel like if you aren't feeling well, you should put your mask on, right? I feel it's sort of not fair. But then again, shopkeepers want to you have the mask off," resident Nancy Wellbrock said.

"The police are not stupid, they have a good IQ. So they'll know what's right and what's wrong," another resident added.

"The pandemic is over. Why are you still wearing a mask? You've got to be hiding something," said Ernel Dixon, who works in Nassau County. "So it's unfortunate, but has to be done."

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams previously voiced support for similar bills that looked to ban masks at protests and on the subway.