GOP senators seek to repeal New Jersey law banning police face coverings

Bill would undo officer identification requirements challenged in federal court

A pair of Republican state senators want to repeal a new law barring law enforcement officers from covering their faces during certain encounters with the public, saying the requirement threatens officers’ safety.

Introduced June 26 by state Sens. Doug Steinhardt, R-Warren, and Carmen Amato, R-Ocean, the bill, S-4519, would rescind the March law requiring local, state, and federal officers to clearly identify themselves before arresting or detaining people.

“It is the sponsors’ view that the statute’s identification and facial disclosure mandates compromise officer safety, increase the risk of retaliation against law enforcement officers, and impede the integrity of authorized investigations,” the two Republicans wrote in a statement accompanying the proposal.

The law has been controversial since Gov. Mikie Sherrill, a first-term Democrat, signed it in March. Although it applies to all law enforcement operating in New Jersey, the measure was widely understood to be aimed directly at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, whose agents frequently cover their faces during immigration raids.

“I can’t believe we have to say this, but in the United States of America, we’re not going to tolerate masked roving militias pretending, pretending to be well-trained law enforcement agents,” Sherrill said at the bill-signing ceremony. “In this state, we have drawn a line. No, not here.”

When the governor signed the bill, New Jersey became the second state in the nation to enact such regulations in 2026. Since then, New York, Virginia, and Connecticut have adopted similar laws.

The U.S. Department of Justice sued New Jersey in late April over the statute, saying it constitutes an unlawful regulation of the federal government that will put ICE agents at risk.

“The law creates a Hobson’s Choice for all federal officers: either put themselves at risk by unmasking and providing individual identification, at the cost of officer safety, the safety of their families, and operational effectiveness, or face legal consequences by defendants,” the government wrote in the April 29 complaint, adding that agents “will not comply with this blatantly unconstitutional law.”

If enacted, the new Senate bill, which was quickly referred to the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee, would repeal the law at the center of the Justice Department’s lawsuit.

Four Republicans in the state Assembly also introduced a companion bill, A-5177, which was referred to that chamber’s Public Safety and Preparedness Committee.