§ 3–535
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 3-535 (2026)
Title 3. Law Enforcement
Subtitle 5
§ 3–535LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)
“Commission” means the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission.
(3)
“Law enforcement agency” has the meaning stated in § 3–201 of this title.
(4)
“Protective body armor” has the meaning stated in § 4–101 of this article.
(b)
(1)
Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a law enforcement agency may not assign a law enforcement officer to duties other than administrative duties unless the law enforcement officer is issued protective body armor.
(2)
A law enforcement agency may issue only protective body armor to a law enforcement officer that:
(i)
conforms to all current National Institute of Justice Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor standards; and
(ii)
has not reached the expiration or suggested replacement date indicated by the manufacturer of the protective body armor.
(3)
A law enforcement agency shall replace protective body armor before the expiration or suggested replacement date indicated by the manufacturer.
(c)
(1)
If a law enforcement agency has not replaced a law enforcement officer’s protective body armor by the 31st day after the expiration or suggested replacement date indicated by the manufacturer, the law enforcement agency shall promptly notify the Commission.
(2)
After receiving notification under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Commission shall notify the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy that the law enforcement agency has failed to replace protective body armor in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.
(3)
(i)
Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, after receiving notification under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy shall withhold grant funds available to the law enforcement agency until the law enforcement agency provides proof that the law enforcement agency has purchased or issued replacement protective body armor that meets the requirements of subsection (b) of this section.
(ii)
The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy may not withhold from a law enforcement agency under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph grant funds specifically designated for the purchase of protective body armor.
(4)
The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy may not disburse grant funds to a law enforcement agency if in the immediately preceding fiscal year the law enforcement agency:
(i)
failed to notify the Commission in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection; or
(ii)
notified the Commission on three or more occasions under paragraph (1) of this subsection.