Senate Bill 283 proposes the establishment of a public protective services hearing protection program administered by the Department of Transportation (DOT). The program mandates that the DOT procure hearing protection devices from manufacturers and distribute them to law enforcement and fire protective agencies upon request. The bill outlines specific requirements for these devices, including that they must be commercially available, designed for multiple uses, fully insertable into the ear canal, have a minimum noise reduction rating of 25 decibels, and a maximum output of 80 decibels.

The bill aims to enhance the safety and hearing protection of personnel in public protective services by ensuring they have access to appropriate hearing protection devices. It allows agencies to request as many devices as they deem necessary for their operations, thereby promoting better preparedness and safety standards within these critical services.