On March 27th, House Bill 257, a bill exempting motorcyclists from theNorth Carolina prohibition against wearing masks in public, passed out of the House of Representatives. The bill now moves to the Senate. If it successfully passes the Senate, it will go to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.
Current law prohibits wearing masks in public places, to include public roadways. That means that motorcyclists in North Carolina who are covering their face with neoprene face coverings or bandanas in order to protect themselves from cold, wind, or sun are in violation of North Carolina law. The purpose of House Bill 257 is to remove the threat of motorcyclists being detained merely for trying to protect themselves from the elements.
As this bill moves through the legislature I will continue to keep you updated on its progress. If you have any questions or comments concerning House Bill 257, or any other matters concerning laws affecting motorcyclists, please feel free to reach out to me.