H.R. 9775: Concealed Crime Prevention Act

This bill would create a new law for the District of Columbia that adds extra prison time when someone commits a crime while wearing a ski mask or similar face-covering that hides their identity.

What it would do

• If a person wears a ski mask while committing a misdemeanor in D.C., they would face an additional minimum 6 months in prison.
• If a person wears a ski mask while committing a felony in D.C., they would face an additional minimum 2 years in prison.
• These added prison terms would be in addition to any sentence for the underlying crime and would run consecutively, meaning after the main sentence.

How “ski mask” is defined

• The bill defines a ski mask as a balaclava or similar head covering that covers the face so that only the eyes, nose, and mouth are exposed and the person’s identity is hidden.
• It says religious headwear is excluded from this definition.

When it would apply

• The new penalty would apply only to crimes committed in the District of Columbia.
• It would apply to offenses committed on or after the date the bill becomes law.

Relevant Companies

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