Bill > S693

This bill aims to improve the ballistic body armor for female agents and officers in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by establishing comprehensive procurement and testing standards. The bill defines ballistic resistant body armor as protective torso gear that can be worn under or over a uniform and provides specific requirements for its design and performance. DHS components must now procure body armor that is specifically designed to fit female body shapes, conform to individual wearers, provide comprehensive coverage, and prevent bullet redirection into vulnerable areas like the throat or spinal cord. The armor must be certified by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and undergo rigorous testing, including specialized tests on female-shaped clay or gelatin molds, angled shots, and other criteria to ensure maximum protection. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reporting from each DHS component, detailing the number of female agents issued body armor, compliance rates, and a breakdown by duty station. The Secretary of Homeland Security must then aggregate these reports and submit them to congressional committees. By the bill's effective date, three years after enactment, all DHS agents and officers requiring body armor must be issued equipment meeting these new, more comprehensive protective standards.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/693/all-info