No Secret Police Act

Last updated
No Secret Police Act
Seal of California.svg
California State Legislature
Full nameAn act to add Chapter 17.45 (commencing with Section 7289) to Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code, and to add Section 185.5 to the Penal Code, relating to law enforcement.
Introduced25 February 2025;9 months ago (2025-02-25)
Assembly votedSeptember 9, 2025
Senate votedMay 8, 2025
September 11, 2025 (concurred)
Signed into lawSeptember 20, 2025 [1]
Sponsor(s)Wiener (S), Arreguín (S) , Pérez (S) , Wahab (S), Bryan (A)
Governor Gavin Newsom
CodeGovernment Code, Penal Code
Status: Current legislation

The No Secret Police Act (SB 627) is a 2025 California statute which prohibits certain federal and local law enforcement agencies from wearing face masks (including ski masks, balaclavas and neck gaiters) during operations. The law makes exceptions for undercover agents, medical masks such as N95 respirators or tactical gear, and does not apply to California Highway Patrol. The bill was drafted by State Senator Scott Wiener in response to the use of face masks by ICE agents during raids on allegedly-undocumented immigrants in California and other states. Despite opposition from the United States Department of Homeland Security, [2] the bill was signed into law by Gavin Newsom on September 20, 2025. [3] [4] [1] An online portal was created on the website of the California Attorney General on December 4, 2025 to report incidents of federal misconduct. [5]

Contents

Response

Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli responded to the law by issuing a letter federal law enforcement agency heads in the Central District of California, demanding that they ignore the law and supporting the arrest of state or local officers who "impede or interfere with operations". The United States Department of Justice filed a federal lawsuit against the law arguing that the law violates the Supremacy Clause. [6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Governor Newsom signs laws to protect school children and hospital patients, and limit fear tactics used by Trump's secret police force to terrorize communities". Governor of California. 2025-09-20. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
  2. ↑ "DHS Calls for Governor Newsom to Veto California's "No Secret Police" Act | Homeland Security". www.dhs.gov. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  3. ↑ "California bans most law enforcement officers from wearing masks during operations". ABC7 Los Angeles. 2025-09-20. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
  4. ↑ "Governor Newsom Signs Senator Wiener's Ban on Extreme Masking by ICE & Other Law Enforcement". Senator Scott Wiener. 2025-09-20. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
  5. ↑ "California announces new online portal to report misconduct by federal agents". Governor of California. 2025-12-03. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  6. ↑ alamedapost (2025-11-19). "Trump Administration Sues California to Keep Federal Law Enforcement Masked". Alameda Post. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
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