West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
West Virginia HB5479: Relating to prohibiting concealment of a law-enforcement officer’s identity or authority.
Status: Introduced, February 12, 2026
What the bill says
To amend and reenact §15-16-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to prohibiting concealment of a law-enforcement officer's identity or authority, prohibiting the use of masks or face coverings, during warrantless, non-custodial investigatory stops that are not supported by probable cause. ARTICLE 16. Federal Immigration Enforcement. §15-16-9. Implementation; discrimination prohibited. (a) This article code shall be implemented in a manner consistent with federal laws and regulations governing immigration, protecting the civil rights of all persons, and respecting t.
From the introduced text, February 12, 2026:
A BILL to amend and reenact §15-16-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to prohibiting concealment of a law-enforcement officer's identity or authority, prohibiting the use of masks or face coverings, during warrantless, non-custodial investigatory stops that are not supported by probable cause. ARTICLE 16. Federal Immigration Enforcement. §15-16-9. Implementation; discrimination prohibited. (a) This article code shall be implemented in a manner consistent with federal laws and regulations governing immigration, protecting the civil rights of all persons, and respecting the privileges and immunities of United States citizens. (b) A state entity, local entity, or law enforcement agency, or a person employed by or otherwise under the direction or control of a state entity, local entity, or law enforcement agency, shall not base its actions under this article on the gender, race, color, religion, language, national origin, or physical disability of a person except to the extent authorized by the United States Constitution, the constitution and laws of this state, or other applicable federal law. (c) A law-enforcement officer may not intentionally conceal the officer's official identity or law-enforcement authority, including by wearing a mask, face covering, or other device that obscures the officer's face or identity, during a non-custodial investigatory stop that is conducted without a warrant and that is not supported by probable cause. For …