Establishes separate disorderly persons offense for persons who wear masks with purpose to conceal identity while committing another crime or offense.

S 1038 makes it a disorderly persons offense in New Jersey to wear a mask with the purpose of hiding your identity while committing another crime or offense, specifically when doing so in public with others who are also masked. It only applies if the person is already charged with the underlying crime and was wearing the mask during its commission. The bill includes key exceptions for Halloween, parades, weather protection, religious head coverings, and medical masks. Violating this law carries a penalty of up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both, and cannot be merged with the underlying crime for sentencing purposes.