BILL NUMBER: S6238
SPONSOR: SCARCELLA-SPANTON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to allowing police offi-
cers to request, and reimbursing police departments for, ballistic armor
vests classified as level III or higher
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Allows police officers to request, and police departments to be reim-
bursed for, ballistic armor vests classified as level III or higher.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Amends § 837-d of the executive law: Amends section heading
to add hard body ballistic vests to be covered under the Bullet Proof
Vest Reimbursement Program. Amends subdivision 3 to clarify language and
add level III or higher Vests. Amends subdivision 6 to create a new
section c that allows officers to choose what vest classification they
would like to wear. Amends subdivision 6-a to require the commissioner
to consider applications for vests classified as level III or higher and
sets that the commissioner shall not deny applications simply because a
vest is classified as level III or higher. Adds a new subdivision 6-b to
require police departments to give officers the option to choose a vest
classified as level III or higher.
Section 2. Amends § 837-d of the executive law by adding hard body
ballistic vests to the definition of vest and defines the term "vest"
Section 3. Establishes an immediate effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
To ensure the safety of police officers in the wake of several deaths
from officers in the line of duty police departments should have the
ability to be reimbursed for the purchase of better equipment. Individ-
ual police officers should also be able to choose what level gear they
would like to wear and should not be denied when deciding to wear more
protective gear.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: A.10378 - Referred to codes.
 
IMPLICATIONS:FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This bill will take effect immediately.