Bill > HB904

This bill mandates that law enforcement agencies in Maryland must equip their officers with protective body armor, defined as a vest or similar item designed to protect against firearm projectile impacts and meeting National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standards, before assigning them to any duties other than administrative tasks. The bill requires agencies to only issue body armor that adheres to current NIJ ballistic resistance standards and has not passed its manufacturer-indicated expiration or suggested replacement date. Furthermore, agencies are obligated to replace this body armor before it reaches its expiration date. If an agency fails to replace an officer's body armor by the 31st day after its expiration or suggested replacement date, they must promptly notify the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission (the "Commission"). The Commission will then inform the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, which will withhold grant funds from the non-compliant agency until proof of replacement is provided. Agencies that fail to notify the Commission or notify it three or more times in a fiscal year may permanently lose access to grant funds. This Act is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

Justice

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0904?ys=2026RS