NASSAU COUNTY, Lengthy Island (WABC) — Nassau County lawmakers on Monday authorised a invoice making carrying a masks or any facial overlaying in public a misdemeanor.

The Republican majority handed the invoice with all 12 voting in favor and 7 Democrats abstaining.

Individuals who put on masks for well being and spiritual causes are exempt to the measure, and violators of the legislation may withstand $1,000 in fines and even jail time.

Lawmaker Mazi Pilip proposed the invoice.

“Terrorist supporters across the nation and particularly in New York are hiding behind the masks and terrorizing the Jewish group,” Pilip stated.

Democrats say they needed a model of the invoice that extra fastidiously protects particular person liberty.

“I see the rise of antisemitism, I see the rise of hate,” Seth Koslow stated. “And as a Jewish man it issues me, however I didn’t see the necessity to rush this invoice by.”

In response, the Nassau County Democratic Legislative Minority launched emergency laws that particularly targets people who use masks to hide their identification whereas committing against the law, enhancing the punishment by rising the offense severity, whereas on the identical time defending civil liberties of most people’s proper to put on masks for professional causes.

“Our invoice respects particular person freedoms by not imposing blanket prohibitions on carrying masks in public. Regulation-abiding residents may put on masks for well being, security, spiritual, or celebratory functions with out worry,” stated Minority Chief Delia DeRiggi-Whitton. “Not like the broad and punitive Republican invoice, our strategy avoids unconstitutional overreach and respects private liberties.”

Civil liberties teams additionally acknowledged the issue with the masks ban is it creates the hazard of selective prosecution. In addition they have issues at how the ban shall be enforced.

The invoice is predicted to be signed into legislation by Nassau County Government Brue Blakeman imminently.

READ MORE: Nassau County lawmakers approve lease for Las Vegas Sands on line casino

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