NEW LAW: Law Enforcement Officer Bulletproof Vest Act

The Law Enforcement Officer Bulletproof Vest Act created by HB 5688 is one of many new laws that go into effect after the first of the year. It requires law enforcement agencies that receive substantial federal and state funding for the purchase of bulletproof vests, to provide a bulletproof vest for every new law enforcement officer, and replace each vest before the warranty expires.

It also requires that each government agency covered under this law will be required to apply to the United States Department of Justice under the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant of 1998 to help pay for the purchase. Federal reimbursement is available for up to half the cost of the bulletproof vests and the state will be responsible for the remaining half that will otherwise be covered by the law enforcement agency.

Read more about this new law in the Chicago Tribune.