Italy is one step closer to banning the Muslim burqa after a commission there approved a draft law outlawing women from wearing the face-covering in public.

Those who violate the ban could face a $43,000 and up to one year behind bars.

The draft is an extension of a current law that prohibits people from wearing masks in public places.
    
France and Belgium have already outlawed burqas. So has one city in Spain.

Sponsors of the ban say the new law will make it easier for Islamic women to integrate into Italian society.
     
Others say it's unjust and hurts a woman's "individual liberty."