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H 747VERMONTSession 2025-2026State Billin committee

High Impact

Vermont bill requires police to display identification and bans masks during public interactions

Original title: An act relating to standards for law enforcement identification

Last action · January 22, 2026: Read first time and referred to the Committee on JudiciarySponsors: Leonora Dodge and 42 others

Companion · S 208same policy, Senate version

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

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Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Would Do

Vermont House Bill 747 requires all local, state, and federal law enforcement officers to clearly display their agency and name or badge number while interacting with the public, and prohibits masks or personal disguises with specific exceptions beginning July 1, 2026.

Why it matters

Establishes criminal penalties of up to one year in prison or a $1,000 fine for officers who violate identification and mask rules, while creating civil liabilities including claims for unlawful arrests.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

local, state, and federal law enforcement officers

Law enforcement officers must visibly display their agency and name or badge number, comply with restrictions on masks during public interactions, and face criminal penalties and civil liability for violations.

Directly affected

law enforcement agencies

Agencies must develop, distribute to personnel, and publicly post a written policy detailing identification requirements and undercover exceptions.

Directly affected

members of the public

Residents gain the right to clearly identify officers during interactions and may bring civil legal actions for monetary, punitive, and equitable damages if arrested in violation of the statute.

Key Facts

All local, state, and federal law enforcement officers must clearly display their agency and name or badge number on their uniform while interacting with the public.
Law enforcement officers are prohibited from wearing any mask or personal disguise while interacting with the public in the performance of their duties.
Exceptions to the mask ban include medical-grade surgical masks, N95 respirators, smoke protection masks, water rescue breathing apparatuses, biological or chemical agent protection, cold weather gear, motorcycle helmets, and laser-protective eyewear.
Tactical Services Unit (TSU) team officers and officers participating in lawful active undercover drug-related operations are permitted to use necessary face protection or disguises.

Show all 10 facts

Law enforcement agencies operating in the State must develop, distribute, and publicly post a written policy on the identification requirements.
An officer who violates the identification or mask rules may be imprisoned for not more than one year, fined not more than $1,000.00, or both.
An officer who violates the section and knowingly and willfully arrests someone may be civilly liable for false imprisonment.
Individuals arrested in violation of these rules may bring civil actions for monetary damages, equitable relief, punitive damages, and attorney's fees.
The Attorney General may bring civil actions on behalf of the State for injunctive, equitable, or declaratory relief.
The act takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What information must law enforcement officers display while working?

Officers must clearly display their agency and their name or badge number, or both, on their uniform.

Are there any exceptions where officers are allowed to wear masks?

Yes, exceptions include surgical masks, N95 respirators, smoke masks, water rescue equipment, biological or chemical protection gear, cold weather masks, motorcycle helmets, laser-protective eyewear, TSU protective gear, and disguises for active undercover drug operations.

What are the penalties for a law enforcement officer who violates these rules?

Violating officers can face imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to $1,000.00, civil liability for , and civil lawsuits from arrested individuals for damages and legal fees.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

1 action

Jan 22, 2026HouseIntroduced
Read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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