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Bill

HB 904

Law Enforcement - Protective Body Armor - Requirements and Reporting

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jon Cardin and 7 co-sponsors

Maryland law would require police agencies to provide body armor to officers and report annually on equipment availability, condition, and replacement to improve officer safety and accountability.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 462
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Bill Summary · HB 904

Legislative bill overview

HB 904 establishes requirements for law enforcement agencies to provide protective body armor to officers and mandates reporting on body armor usage, conditions, and replacement. The bill aims to ensure consistent protective equipment standards across Maryland law enforcement agencies and create transparency through regular reporting to the state.

Why is this important

Officer safety is a critical public health and personnel issue, as body armor is proven to prevent serious injury and death. Establishing statewide requirements ensures equitable protection regardless of which agency an officer works for, while reporting requirements create accountability and help identify funding gaps or equipment deficiencies that could compromise officer welfare.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and funding burden: Requiring all agencies to provide and maintain body armor may impose significant unfunded mandates, particularly for smaller municipalities with limited budgets
  • Specification standards: Disagreement may arise over what level/type of body armor qualifies, replacement schedules, and whether agencies can choose equipment or must use standardized options
  • Reporting compliance: The administrative burden of regular reporting could strain smaller agencies, and questions may arise about what specific data points are required and how they'll be used

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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