COVID. State Legislatures Allowing Fines for No Mask Use

Mask Wearing by the numbers:

• 34 States have mask wearing mandates
• 200,000 COVID cases between March 31 and May 22 averted because of mask use according to the journal, Health Affairs 

The states that are getting tougher on mask wearing:

• New Jersey S2814 (2020 | NJ)
  • not wearing a mask during a public health emergency & entering a store or retail business, if signage is posted, would be classified as trespass
  • petty disorderly persons offense punishable by a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days in prison, or both
• Minnesota HF10 (2020 | MN)
  • Allows businesses to refuse service for not wearing a mask
• Pennsylvania SB1287  (2020 |PA)
  • Creates a second-degree misdemeanor to willfully fail to wear a mask or face covering as required by the governor’s public health emergency declaration
  • Classified as reckless endangerment, conduct that could place another “in danger of death or serious bodily injury.”

Governing | Lawmakers Get Tough with Mask Requirements: Legislative Watch