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A day after the Nassau Legislature passed its controversial mask bill, residents are still questioning what the law means and how it will be implemented.
The Mask Transparency Act prohibits the wearing of masks in public unless they are worn for the person's health, religion or celebratory purposes.
“The law passed by Nassau County yesterday is extraordinarily broad on its face, the real question will be, if implemented, is it implemented in a fair, nondiscriminatory manner," says James Sample, a professor of constitutional law at Hofstra University.
The law allows police to question people wearing a mask and determine if they are violating the law.
“Our police officers are trained, they know how to approach and it is going to give them the opportunity to check if someone's here to do something good or bad," says Mazi Pilip, who sponsored the legislation.
“I think we have to find a better balance, not outlawing it making it a misdemeanor with a thousand dollar fine, but also find a way to make people safe in these large spaces," says Rabbi Debora Bravo.
This legislation will go into effect when County Executive Bruce Blakeman signs it.
He is expected to do so in the coming weeks.
