A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to permit the use of a face mask while operating a motorcycle.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 14‑12.11 reads as rewritten:
"§ 14‑12.11.  Exemptions from provisions of Article.
(a)	The following are exempted from the provisions of G.S. 14‑12.7, 14‑12.8, 14‑12.9, 14‑12.10 and 14‑12.14:
(1)	Any person wearing a traditional holiday costume in season.
(2)	Any person engaged in a trade or employment where a mask is worn for the purpose of ensuring the physical safety of the wearer, or because of the nature of the occupation, trade or profession.
(3)	Any person using a mask in a theatrical production including use in Mardi Gras celebrations and masquerade balls.
(4)	A person wearing a gas mask prescribed in civil defense drills and exercises or emergencies.
(5)	Any person, as a member or member elect of a society, order or organization, engaged in any parade, ritual, initiation, ceremony, celebration or requirement of such society, order or organization, and wearing or using any manner of costume, paraphernalia, disguise, facial makeup, hood, implement or device, whether the identity of such person is concealed or not, on any public or private street, road, way or property, or in any public or private building, provided permission shall have been first obtained therefor by a representative of such society, order or organization from the governing body of the municipality in which the same takes place, or, if not in a municipality, from the board of county commissioners of the county in which the same takes place.
(6)	Any person wearing a mask for purposes of protecting the person's head, face, or head and face, when operating a motorcycle as defined in G.S. 20‑4.01, provided that the mask shall be removed whenever a person is approached by a law enforcement officer.
Provided, that the provisions of this Article shall not apply to any preliminary meetings held in good faith for the purpose of organizing, promoting or forming a labor union or a local organization or subdivision of any labor union nor shall the provisions of this Article apply to any meetings held by a labor union or organization already organized, operating and functioning and holding meetings for the purpose of transacting and carrying out functions, pursuits and affairs expressly pertaining to such labor union."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective December 1, 2019, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.