REPRESENTATIVES Jones, Metelsky, Redfern, Womer  Benjamin, Husted, Sullivan, Wilson, Patton, Trakas, Calvert, D. Miller, Goodman, R. Miller, Hartnett, Jolivette, Clancy, Ogg, Ford, S. Smith, Barrett, Britton, Allen, Perry, Carey, DePiero, Sulzer, Distel, Hollister, Core, Collier, Kilbane, Hoops, Beatty

To enact section 2917.51 of the Revised Code to

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prohibit a person from wearing a mask, hood, or

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other device that hides or covers a substantial

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portion of the wearer's face so as to conceal the

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identity of the wearer when the person is on the

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private property of another without written

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permission or is in any public place.

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BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section 1.  That section 2917.51 of the Revised Code be	8
enacted to read as follows:	9

Sec. 2917.51.  (A) No person shall do both of the following:

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(1) Wear a mask, hood, or other device that hides or covers	11
a substantial portion of the wearer's face so as to conceal the	12
identity of the wearer when the person knows or reasonably should	13
know that the conduct provokes in another a reasonable	14
apprehension of intimidation or threat of violence;	15

(2) Be on the private property of another while wearing the	16
mask, hood, or other device described in division (A)(1) of this	17
section without first having obtained the written consent from the	18
owner, occupier, or tenant of that property to wear the mask,	19
hood, or other device or be in any public place while wearing the	20
mask, hood, or other device described in division (A)(1) of this	21
section.	22

(B) Division (A) of this section does not apply to any of	23
the following persons:	24

(1) A person wearing a mask, hood, or other device in a	25
traditional holiday celebration, whether religious or secular,	26
when the mask, hood, or other device is appropriate for that	27
celebration;	28

(2) A person lawfully engaged in employment, in a trade, or	29
in a sporting activity who wears the mask, hood, or other device	30
for the purpose of ensuring the physical safety of the wearer or	31
because of the nature of the employment, trade, or sporting	32
activity;	33

(3) A person wearing a mask, hood, or other device in a bona	34
fide theatrical production or for bona fide entertainment	35
purposes;	36

(4) A person wearing a mask, hood, or other device for bona	37
fide medical reasons;	38

(5) A person wearing a mask, hood, or other device for	39
protection against the elements;	40

(6) A person wearing a mask, hood, or other device as an	41
expression of grief;	42

(7) A person wearing a mask, hood, or other device as a	43
religious practice;	44

(8) A person wearing a gas mask prescribed in emergency	45
management drills and exercises or emergencies.	46

(C) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty	47
of unlawful disguise, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.	48