New Standards for Female DHS Officer Body Armor

Where This Stands

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Signed

Currently IN_COMMITTEE. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

The Frame

What this does

This legislation directly impacts the safety equipment provided to female DHS personnel, requiring the agency to replace or upgrade gear to ensure protection against specific ballistic risks like bullet deflection toward the throat or spine.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Female agents and officers of the Department of Homeland Security

These personnel will be issued new, specifically designed ballistic resistant body armor that meets updated fit and safety standards.

Department of Homeland Security

The agency is required to change its procurement processes, conduct new testing, and submit annual reports to Congress.

What changed

Current stage: IN_COMMITTEE.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Background

Mrs. McIver, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, and Mr. Ezell are members of the U.S. House of Representatives. context
The Department of Homeland Security is a cabinet-level department of the U.S. federal government responsible for public security. context

Summary

This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to procure body armor specifically designed to fit female agents and officers properly. It mandates that all issued armor must meet new safety and fit standards by 2027 and requires annual reporting on compliance progress.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

This legislation directly impacts the safety equipment provided to female DHS personnel, requiring the agency to replace or upgrade gear to ensure protection against specific ballistic risks like bullet deflection toward the throat or spine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What specific safety improvements does this bill require?

The bill requires armor that prevents bullets from redirecting off the chest into the throat or spinal cord and mandates testing on female-shaped molds to ensure proper coverage.

When must DHS be in full compliance?

The Secretary of Homeland Security must ensure all relevant agents and officers have compliant body armor no later than three years after the date of enactment.

Who is responsible for reporting on the progress of these changes?

Heads of relevant DHS components must submit annual reports to the Secretary, who then aggregates this data for the House and Senate Committees on Homeland Security.

News Coverage

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Connected Entities

personMrs. McIver“The bill's primary sponsor in the House of Representatives.”Map →

organizationASTM International“The organization that sets standards for fit and coverage of body armor.”Map →

organizationNational Institute of Justice (NIJ)“The agency responsible for setting standards for ballistic resistant body armor.”Map →

personSecretary of Homeland Security“The executive official responsible for overseeing the DHS and implementing the b”Map →

personMr. Thompson of Mississippi“A co-sponsor of the bill.”Map →

organizationDepartment of Homeland Security“The federal agency responsible for implementing the bill's provisions.”Map →

personMr. Ezell“A co-sponsor of the bill.”Map →

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance65
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy10
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz20
Current news / social attention level