Protect the Right to Mask in Your State

WHN is excited to announce that we’ll be hosting a Right to Mask Organizing Meeting on April 15 from 2:30–3:30 PM ET. This meeting will focus on how individuals and groups can launch and support Right to Mask efforts in their states. We’re grateful to the organizers from Vermont, Illinois, and Massachusetts, who have already proposed right to mask bills in their states, for offering their leadership and sharing insights on how others can follow their example. Some of them will be joining us on April 15.
We ask that you…

1. Register for the Right to Mask Organizing Meeting here and share with others.
2. Please share this link to our interest form with others who may be interested!
3. Join WHN’s Slack and introduce yourself on the channel #Act-Right-to-Mask , where you can participate in the conversation around Right to Mask.

Thank you for your dedication to this cause—we look forward to working together to protect the right to mask!

Current Right to Mask Legislation Bills

Legislation has been filed in the following states: 

Illinois

Massachusetts (House Bill, Senate Bill) 

Vermont (House Bill, Senate Bill)

How to Advocate for the Right to Mask

Taking draft legislation to your state legislature is a powerful way to make your voice heard. Follow these steps to present the proposed bill to your local elected officials:

Step 1: Research Your State Legislature

• Identify your state representative and senator. You can find this information on your state legislature’s website.
• Research their stances on public health and individual rights to determine the best approach for outreach.

Step 2: Build Community Support

• Share the draft legislation with local organizations, advocacy groups, and community leaders to gather endorsements and organize.
• Use social media to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the right to mask.
• Join WHN’s Slack channel #Right-to-Mask to share information and connect with others advocating for the right to mask in their state.
• Build community support and share the popularity of “Right to Mask” legislation with your local legislator(s) when contacting them.

Step 3: Contact Your Legislator

• Write a clear, concise, and respectful email or letter explaining why protecting the right to mask is essential. Attach the draft legislation to provide a concrete starting point.
• Create a one page flyer with information about: What is the bill? Why is it important? Relevant statistics.
• Request a meeting in person or virtually to discuss the bill.
• Share personal stories of real constituents that illustrate why the right to mask must be preserved. 
• Ask legislators to tailor the draft text to align with the language and policies of your state.

Step 4: Follow Up

Background information

• The legislative process is slow, requiring patience and perseverance.
• Bills very rarely pass into law the first time they are filed. The process will likely take multiple years. If the bill does not pass, it must be refiled in the next session and the process started again from the beginning. However, subsequent filings reach a more educated legislature and public. Supporters of the bill also have more understanding of the concerns of the legislature and can address them more effectively, including modifying the bill to address concerns. 
• Messaging about the bill must be clear and consistent. What is the purpose of the bill? Why is it important? Right to mask for health reasons or personal autonomy are not mutually exclusive, but each requires a different approach, evidence, and stories. 

Follow up steps

• Follow the bill closely through the legislative process. Each state has an online dashboard that tracks bills’ progress and sponsors.
• Track changes and modifications to the bill, often made in committee.
• Maintain contact with the legislator who filed the bill and other supporters and sponsors.
• Op-Eds, blogs, news stories, press conferences keep the issue in front of the public, also letting legislators know that this bill is important and has support and attention.
• Keep community organizations and individual supporters informed of progress and what they can do to help.
• When the bill has been assigned a committee and public hearing has been scheduled send a call to action to supporters to:
  • Testify at the hearing on behalf of the bill. This can usually be done in person, by Zoom, and/or submitting written testimony;
  • Email or call legislators in support of the bill, 
  • Email or call members of the committee hearing the bill. 
• Letters, phone calls and testimony should include both personal stories of those who will be affected by the bill and experts in the area who can speak to the broader impact of the bill. 
• Multiple calls to action, press releases, Op-Eds etc may be required as the bill makes its way through the legislative process.  
• Celebrate each step of progress. It is important to notice and let others  know about progress. 

Join the Movement

Advocating for the right to mask is a critical step toward ensuring public health and personal freedom. Together, we can protect our communities and create a safer, healthier future.

Have questions or need support? 

• Contact us or join a WHN Community Action Meeting on Fridays at 3:00PM ET for guidance on introducing the legislation in your area.
• Join WHN’s Slack channel #Act-Right-to-Mask to share information and connect with others advocating for the right to mask in their state.