Health masks: right to wear.

Assembly Member Ahrens proposes establishing a statutory right for individuals to wear medical-grade masks in public spaces through legislation that defines parameters for mask use while preserving existing identification and safety protocols. The bill creates a new chapter in California's Health and Safety Code permitting the use of surgical, N95, or KN95 masks for health protection in locations ranging from businesses and government buildings to educational facilities and public transportation.

The legislation outlines specific circumstances where temporary mask removal remains required, including airport security screening, driver's license photography, and age verification at establishments serving alcohol. These exceptions must be interpreted narrowly, limiting removal to brief periods necessary for identification. The bill also maintains existing requirements for mask removal related to occupational qualifications, vehicle operation safety, and emergency medical care.

The measure explicitly preserves protections under federal and state disability laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and California's Unruh Civil Rights Act. It creates no new enforcement mechanisms, instead operating within established regulatory frameworks while adding statutory recognition of mask-wearing rights in public spaces.