MD HB904

Law enforcement agencies must issue protective body armor to all officers assigned to non-administrative duties, with armor required to meet current National Institute of Justice ballistic resistance standards and not exceed manufacturer expiration dates.

Agencies must replace body armor before the manufacturer's expiration or suggested replacement date, and must notify the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission if replacement is not completed within 31 days after expiration.

The Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy will withhold grant funds from agencies that fail to replace expired armor until proof of compliant replacement is provided.

Grant funds will be denied entirely for the following fiscal year if an agency failed to notify the Commission of expired armor or notified the Commission three or more times about expired armor in the preceding year.

Effective October 1, 2026.