Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka on Monday plans to introduce two pieces of legislation he said are designed to protect the county’s non-U.S. citizens.

But he is backing away from introducing a third bill which would have prohibited county police officers from wearing masks or face coverings while on duty.

“I think it is a tough one to get passed,” Patoka said. He added, “My history has been not to introduce legislation to make a point but to introduce legislation to get it implemented.

”WYPR obtained drafts of the legislation.

The no-masks bill that Patoka is scrapping was loaded with exceptions. For instance, county police officers could wear a mask for protection from airborne diseases. They could be worn during “high-risk situations” such as a shootout, standoff or terrorist activity. Officers could protect their faces if they are part of a SWAT team.

At a rally in Towson last month, Patoka said he would be introducing legislation. The rally was in opposition to a memorandum of understanding between the county and Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE.

“We should not encourage masked individuals with heavy weapons to enter our public buildings, our schools, our faith-based institutions, our places or worship,” said Patoka at the rally. “That is not what we ought to be agreeing to. But folks I think that’s what we agreed to.”

Read full article and listen to audio: Patoka shelves Baltimore County police mask ban as he pushes immigrant-protection bills | WYPR