SESSION WATCH
Died SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. SB 316

Law Enforcement and Immigration Officer Identifying Information and Face Coverings
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SPONSOR
Smith
FILED BY
Carlos Guillermo Smith — District 17, Democrat [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
DIED IN
Criminal Justice

Filed under Criminal Justice.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Law Enforcement and Immigration Officer Identifying Information and Face Coverings; Creating the "VISIBLE Act"; requiring covered immigration officers to wear specified visible identification during public immigration enforcement functions; providing requirements for such visible identification; prohibiting covered immigration officers from wearing face coverings that impair the visibility of identifying information or obscure a covered immigration officer’s face; prohibiting law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings in the performance of their official duties, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Bans face coverings for law enforcement and mandates visible ID for immigration officers.

Law enforcement officers may not wear face coverings while on duty, with narrow exceptions for undercover work, SWAT gear, and immediate danger. First violations are infractions; repeat offenses are second-degree misdemeanors.

Immigration officers must wear visible name and agency identification during public enforcement actions. They may not wear face coverings that obscure their face or ID, except for covert operations or hazardous conditions.

The State Board of Immigration Enforcement will investigate complaints and enforce discipline for noncompliance. The State Immigration Enforcement Council must report annually to the Legislature on enforcement activity and violations.

Agencies must adopt rules on face coverings by October 1, 2026. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and requires annual reporting on the number of public immigration enforcement functions conducted.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Mandatory Visible Identification for Immigration Officers majors. 908.14(3)

AIRequires covered immigration officers to wear visible identification during public enforcement functions.

“must wear visible identification at all times during such engagement” bill text, line 61 →
§ 2 Prohibition on Face Coverings for Law Enforcement Officers majors. 943.1718(3)(a)

AIForbids law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings while performing official duties.

“may not wear a face covering in the performance of his or her official duties” bill text, line 210 →
§ 3 Criminal Penalties for Face Covering Violations majors. 943.1718(3)(d)

AIMakes a first violation an infraction and subsequent violations a second-degree misdemeanor.

“A first violation of this subsection is an infraction. A second or subsequent violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor of the second degree” bill text, line 232 →
§ 4 Advance Notice for Undercover Investigations moderates. 943.1718(3)(b)

AIRequires law enforcement agencies to notify the local sheriff at least 12 hours before an undercover investigation likely to involve a face covering.

“must provide advance notice to the sheriff with jurisdiction over the location in which the undercover investigation will take place” bill text, line 215 →
§ 5 Disciplinary Action for Immigration Officer Noncompliance moderates. 908.14(6)(b)

AIRequires the State Board of Immigration Enforcement to ensure noncompliant officers receive disciplinary action.

“Ensure that a covered immigration officer who fails to comply with the requirements of this section receives appropriate disciplinary action” bill text, line 87 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Criminal Justice
1/13/2026
Introduced
11/17/2025
Referred to Criminal Justice; Appropriations Committee on Criminal...
11/3/2025
Filed
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 908.14
+586 / −0
s. 908.1031
+24 / −0
s. 908.1032
+43 / −0
s. 943.1718
+483 / −14