Governor Kathy Hochul's proposed restriction on wearing masks in public remains a contentious topic amidst state budget negotiations. Recently, Hochul has shifted her stance, proposing stronger penalties instead of creating a new criminal offense for 'masked harassment.' This change comes in response to resistance from progressive lawmakers who feared misuse against protesters. State senator James Skoufis indicated this new approach focuses on existing crimes, enhancing penalties if the offender was wearing a mask, addressing both safety concerns and the rights of individuals.
If one is convicted of an existing crime, e.g. harassment or menacing, and the individual convicted was wearing a mask, that there'd be some penalty enhancer during sentencing.
Restrictions on public masking have been a top priority for Hochul during negotiations over the state budget, which will spend more than $250 billion and is three weeks past its April 1 due date.
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