Committee OKs bill limiting mask protections during assemblies unless medical proof provided

The Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee on Monday gave House Bill 559 a favorable report after adding amendments that narrow when people may wear surgical-style masks during public assemblies and who may request their removal.

Representative Kehl, sponsor of HB 559, told the committee the bill would carve out an exception to existing parade and outdoor-event mask rules, allowing law enforcement or property owners to ask people to remove surgical-style masks unless the wearer has a medical reason. "This bill would provide for, exemptions and praise for somebody who's wearing a surgical mask and that sort of that sort of thing as long as it's for, medical purposes," Kehl said.

The measure drew questions about how officers would verify medical reasons. Representative Bolton asked whether officers would be entitled to see documentation from a…