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    AB-1326
    Health & Public Health

    Masks: individual or public health.

    Engrossed
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    0
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes the right to wear masks in public places for health protection purposes.
    • Applies to all types of face masks including N95 respirators, surgical masks, and cloth masks.
    • Requires temporary mask removal for identification, security protocols, and emergency medical care.
    • Covers all public spaces including businesses, transportation, schools, and healthcare facilities.

    Summary

    Assembly Member Ahrens proposes establishing a statutory right for Californians to wear masks in public places for health protection, codifying personal choice in mask use across a broad range of settings from businesses to government buildings.

    The legislation defines masks to include filtering facepiece respirators like N95s, surgical masks, cloth masks, and other personal protective equipment. It specifies eight categories of public places where the right applies, including businesses, government buildings, transportation, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and workplaces. The bill preserves existing requirements for temporary mask removal in specific circumstances, such as identity verification, vehicle operation, occupational qualifications, and emergency medical care.

    Current California law addresses mask use in particular contexts, including pandemic stockpiles, healthcare settings, and cannabis operations. This measure would create a comprehensive framework establishing mask wearing as an individual right while maintaining necessary exceptions for security, safety and operational requirements.

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
    Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 112
    Senate Health Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Health Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 1326 Ahrens Assembly Third Reading
    Assembly Health Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Health Hearing
    Do pass
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Introduced. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Roger NielloR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Benjamin AllenD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Eloise ReyesD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Scott WienerD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 14 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 3
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Roger NielloR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Benjamin AllenD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Eloise ReyesD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Scott WienerD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Henry SternD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Maria DurazoD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tom UmbergD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    John LairdD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Akilah Weber PiersonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Angelique AshbyD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Aisha WahabD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Patrick AhrensD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Suzette ValladaresR
    Senator
    Committee Member

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Patrick Ahrens
    Patrick AhrensD
    California State Assembly Member
    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/8/2025)

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    June 18, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Committee
    Senate Health Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    80311PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes the right to wear masks in public places for health protection purposes.
    • Applies to all types of face masks including N95 respirators, surgical masks, and cloth masks.
    • Requires temporary mask removal for identification, security protocols, and emergency medical care.
    • Covers all public spaces including businesses, transportation, schools, and healthcare facilities.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Patrick Ahrens
    Patrick AhrensD
    California State Assembly Member

    Summary

    Assembly Member Ahrens proposes establishing a statutory right for Californians to wear masks in public places for health protection, codifying personal choice in mask use across a broad range of settings from businesses to government buildings.

    The legislation defines masks to include filtering facepiece respirators like N95s, surgical masks, cloth masks, and other personal protective equipment. It specifies eight categories of public places where the right applies, including businesses, government buildings, transportation, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and workplaces. The bill preserves existing requirements for temporary mask removal in specific circumstances, such as identity verification, vehicle operation, occupational qualifications, and emergency medical care.

    Current California law addresses mask use in particular contexts, including pandemic stockpiles, healthcare settings, and cannabis operations. This measure would create a comprehensive framework establishing mask wearing as an individual right while maintaining necessary exceptions for security, safety and operational requirements.

    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/8/2025)

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
    Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 112
    Senate Health Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Health Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 1326 Ahrens Assembly Third Reading
    Assembly Health Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Health Hearing
    Do pass
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Introduced. To print.

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    June 18, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Committee
    Senate Health Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    80311PASS

    Contacts

    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Roger NielloR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Benjamin AllenD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Eloise ReyesD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Scott WienerD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 14 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 3
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Roger NielloR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Benjamin AllenD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Eloise ReyesD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Scott WienerD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Henry SternD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Maria DurazoD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tom UmbergD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    John LairdD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Akilah Weber PiersonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Angelique AshbyD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Aisha WahabD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Patrick AhrensD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Suzette ValladaresR
    Senator
    Committee Member