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House approves bill allowing police to require protesters to remove medical masks for ID; debate over rights and health exemptions
Summary
The Alabama House passed HB 559 after lengthy debate; the law lets police or property owners require temporary removal of medical/surgical masks for identification during protests or public assemblies unless the wearer has a documented medical exemption or is acting under a public‑health emergency exemption.
The Alabama House narrowly approved HB 559 after an extended and often heated floor debate in which members expressed sharply different views on public‑assembly rights, public safety and health privacy.
What the bill says: The bill amends loitering statutes to add surgical‑grade or medical face coverings worn during protests, demonstrations or public assemblies to the list of conditions under which law enforcement or a property owner may request that an individual remove a face covering for identification. The bill creates three exceptions: (1) the wearer has documented guidance from a health‑care provider, (2) the wearer is complying with a state…
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