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Governor Kathy Hochul is advocating for a mask-related bill during her closed-door budget discussions with New York lawmakers. The bill, sponsored by Bronx Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and Orange Senator James Skoufis, does not outright ban masks but increases penalties for harassment when individuals hide their faces while threatening violence. The bill is backed by the NAACP and the Anti-Defamation League.
Governor Hochul has been largely silent on the issue publicly but is reviving it in state budget talks. She expressed concern about mask use in crimes, saying, "Mask use in the commission of a crime is deeply troubling to me." The bill could face resistance from some state legislators, especially those with liberal views.
The legislation comes after a wave of antisemitic protests and incidents in New York City. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie noted that people have exploited gaps in the law. The bill aims to address these concerns while respecting the First Amendment, as Assemblyman Sam Berger stated, "The First Amendment does not grant you the freedom to harass or intimidate others."
The New York state budget is due on April 1, and the outcome of these negotiations remains uncertain.