Law Enforcement Officer Bulletproof Vest Act Summary

• Each law enforcement agency in Illinois must provide a bulletproof vest (Type I or higher meeting National Institute of Justice Standard 0101.03) to every new recruit officer as part of initial equipment.

• Law enforcement agencies must replace vests before or at the expiration of the warranty period at agency expense.

• State and local governments must apply for federal Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act matching grants to help fund vest purchases, with local agency costs split between state and local government funds.

• The act does not apply to agencies where substantial federal and state funding is not provided, or where vests are covered under collective bargaining agreements for uniform allowances or vest provision.

• The Traffic and Criminal Conviction Surcharge Fund is authorized to fund grants to local law enforcement agencies for purchasing bulletproof vests under this act.