Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando plans to introduce a motion at the March 17 County Council session to place the Unmask ICE Act (Bill 5-26) on the agenda for a worksession and vote at the following meeting on March 24.
The motion will be seconded by Councilmember Kristin Mink. The proposed legislation would prohibit federal, state, and local law enforcement officers from wearing masks or facial coverings while on duty in Montgomery County, with exceptions for SWAT operations, public health protections, and water rescues.
The bill is co-sponsored by Councilmembers Kristin Mink, Shebra Evans, Kate Stewart, Laurie-Anne Sayles, and Evan Glass. The proposal follows a March 3 public hearing where residents and advocacy groups called for the measure to move forward. Under the Montgomery County Council’s rules of procedure, adding the item to the agenda requires at least six affirmative votes. A separate proposal related to masking is also being considered by the Maryland General Assembly, which would direct a state commission to develop policies that local jurisdictions could adopt.
