HB 7: Law-Enforcement Officers; No Masks
🔴 THREAT LEVEL: HIGH
BILL SNAPSHOT
Bill Number: HB 7
Bill Patron: Sen. Michael J. Jones (D)
Issue Area: Public Safety / Law Enforcement
Who It Will Impact: State & federal law-enforcement officers operating in Virginia
QUICK SUMMARY
HB 7 bans most law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings while on duty [except for medical reasons & SWAT]. Under HB 7, law-enforcement officers can be personally sued, disciplined, or even criminally charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor for wearing a face mask.
RALLY ANALYSIS
HB 7 prioritizes political optics over officer safety and fundamentally misunderstands how modern policing works.
In an era of viral videos, organized crime, and online harassment, anonymity is often a safety measure — not misconduct.
By restricting facial coverings, the bill exposes officers to retaliation, doxxing, and targeting by gangs and criminal networks. HB 7 allows frivolous civil lawsuits against law enforcement officers, in effect bypassing sovereign immunity protections.
At a time when recruitment and retention are collapsing statewide, this bill sends a clear message to officers: you’re on your own.
WHY THIS MATTERS
- Endangers officer safety by forcing unnecessary exposure
- Criminalizes on-duty decisions with misdemeanor penalties
- Invites frivolous civil lawsuits against officers
- Removes sovereign immunity, increasing legal risk for officers
- Accelerates police shortages across Virginia
RALLY VERDICT: ❌ OPPOSE
HB 7 is a dangerous and demoralizing attack on law enforcement. Instead of supporting the men and women who protect our communities, this bill adds penalties, liability, and red tape, making policing more dangerous and less effective.
This legislation punishes officers for doing their jobs, drives good people out of the profession, and ultimately makes Virginia communities less safe.
Rally Radar urges legislators to vote NO on HB 7.
RALLY RADAR — THREAT LEVEL LEGEND
⚫ CRITICAL THREAT — Immediate and severe harm; must be stopped
🔴 HIGH THREAT — Serious risk to safety, liberty, or governance
🟡 MODERATE THREAT — Concerning but limited scope
🟢 LOW THREAT — Minimal impact or symbolic
