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Read. Follow. Verify.Idaho House Bill 489 Criminalizes Wearing Masks During Offenses and Adds Sentencing Enhancements
Last action · January 27, 2026: U.C. to be returned to Judiciary, Rules & Administration Committee
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What This Bill Proposed
Idaho House Bill 489 prohibits wearing a mask, hood, or face-covering device while committing or attempting to commit a criminal offense, effective July 1, 2026. Violating this provision adds a of up to an additional year of imprisonment, a fine of up to $2,500, or both, on top of penalties for the underlying crime.
Anyone convicted of committing a separate crime while wearing a face covering faces increased criminal penalties and financial liabilities under Idaho state law.
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Individuals committing criminal offenses in Idaho
Offenders face additional fines up to $2,500 and up to one year of extra imprisonment if convicted of wearing a mask or disguise while committing another crime.
Key Facts
- It is unlawful to wear a mask, hood, or other device that covers, hides, or conceals any portion of the face while committing or attempting to commit another criminal offense.
- Violating this section subjects the offender to an enhanced penalty in addition to the sentence for the underlying offense.
- The sentencing enhancement includes an additional fine of up to $2,500, an additional term of imprisonment of up to one year, or both.
- The provisions do not preclude prosecution or penalties under any other applicable law.
Show all 5 facts
- The act contains a severability clause protecting remaining provisions if any part is declared invalid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What penalties does House Bill 489 add for wearing a mask during a crime?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
6 actions- Jan 27, 2026U.C. to be returned to Judiciary, Rules & Administration Committee
- Jan 26, 2026U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar one legislative day
- Jan 23, 2026Read second time; Filed for Third Reading
- Jan 22, 2026Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
- Jan 19, 2026CommitteeReported Printed and Referred to Judiciary, Rules & Administration
- Jan 16, 2026IntroducedIntroduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Connected Entities
Sources
legislature.idaho.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
- Controversy50Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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