Crimes and offenses; crime of loitering, exceptions further provided; mask usage policies on school campuses, authorized

HB 168 amends Alabama's loitering law to clarify exemptions for mask usage during protests and authorize schools to set campus mask policies. It adds that wearing a medical or surgical mask during protests for disease mitigation (with possible verification) is exempt from loitering charges, while schools and colleges may establish their own mask rules for campuses. The bill does not require masks but gives local education authorities the power to create campus policies. Violations of school mask rules would lead to administrative discipline only, not criminal charges under the loitering law. This applies specifically to public schools and higher education institutions in Alabama.