Missouri bill bans ICE agents from wearing masks or concealing identity during operations

Original title: FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS

Last action · May 15, 2026: Referred: Emerging Issues(H)Sponsors: Ray Reed and 5 others

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What This Bill Would Do

Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents operating in Missouri are prohibited from concealing their identity or wearing facial coverings, with specific exceptions for medical masks, hazardous environments, and active undercover work. A willful and knowing violation of this requirement is punishable as a .

Why it matters

Federal immigration enforcement personnel operating within the state face criminal misdemeanor charges and modified operational protocols if they obscure their facial identity without meeting statutory exemptions.

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

federal law enforcement agents performing Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations

Federal immigration agents are prohibited from wearing facial coverings during operations unless meeting specific exemptions, under threat of criminal penalties.

Key Facts

ICE agents performing operations in Missouri are prohibited from concealing their identity or wearing facial coverings that obscure facial identity.
A facial covering is defined as any opaque mask, garment, helmet, headgear, balaclava, tactical mask, gaiter, ski mask, or face-shielding item.
Exempted face wear includes translucent face shields, medical masks (N95 or surgical), protective gear against toxins or hazardous conditions, underwater breathing apparatuses, motorcycle helmets, and protective eyewear against lasers.
The restriction does not apply to agents performing duties as undercover operatives or agents assigned to a Special Response Team (SRT) while actively performing SRT responsibilities.

Show all 5 facts

A willful and knowing violation of the statute is classified and punishable as a class A misdemeanor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are ICE agents allowed to wear medical masks under this bill?

Yes, N95 medical masks, surgical masks, and respirators worn to protect against disease, infection, toxins, gas, smoke, or hazardous environmental conditions are explicitly exempted.

What is the penalty if an ICE agent violates this rule?

A willful and knowing violation of the section is punishable as a .

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

4 actions

May 15, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
Jan 8, 2026HouseFloor
Read Second Time (H)
Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced
Read First Time (H)
Dec 18, 2025HouseIntroduced
Prefiled (H)

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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