Pennsylvania HB 1831: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in departmental powers and duties as to licensing, further providing for definitions.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2426
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1831
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY WHITE, MARCELL, KAUFFMAN AND BERNSTINE,
OCTOBER 7, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, OCTOBER 8, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in other offenses, providing for
wearing masks on public property prohibited.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 7518. Wearing masks on public property prohibited.
(a) Prohibition.--Except as provided under subsection (c), a
person may not enter or appear upon or within public property in
this Commonwealth while wearing a mask or other device designed
to conceal the person's face, voice or identity.
(b) Grading.--An offense under subsection (a) constitutes a
misdemeanor of the third degree.
(c) Applicability.--The prohibition under subsection (a)
shall not apply to any of the following:
(1) A person wearing a traditional holiday costume.
(2) A person engaged in a trade or employment where a
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mask is worn for the purpose of ensuring the person's safety
or due to the nature of the person's occupation or trade.
(3) A person using a mask in a theatrical production.
(4) A person wearing a mask or other device for a
religious purpose.
(5) A person engaged in a parade, ritual, initiation,
ceremony, celebration or similar type of gathering or event
and wearing or using in any manner a costume, disguise,
facial makeup, mask or similar device if the person receives
the necessary permission as required by statute, if
applicable, prior to the gathering or event.
(6) A person wearing a medical or surgical grade mask
for the purpose of preventing the spread of contagious
disease.
(7) A person wearing a mask for the purpose of
protecting the person's head or face when operating a
motorcycle.
(d) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to limit, replace or conflict with available
protections or remedies under the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336, 104 Stat. 327) or any other
applicable Federal or State law.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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