Signed by Governor Kathy Hochul

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits civilian purchase of bullet-resistant vests.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an individual from knowingly purchasing or taking possession of a body vest, unless engaged or employed in an eligible profession, and specifies first offenses as a class A misdemeanor and subsequent offenses as a class E felony (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits an individual or corporation from knowingly selling, exchanging, giving, delivering or disposing of a body vest to an individual whom they reasonably know to not be engaged or employed in an eligible profession and specifies that a first offenses as a class A misdemeanor and subsequent offenses as a class E felony (Sec. 1-2).

• Defines “eligible profession” as any duties that may expose the individual to serious physical injury that may be prevented or mitgated by wearing a body vest (Sec. 3).

• Requires the secretary of state, in consultation with the division of criminal justice services, homeland security and emergency services, department of corrections and community supervision, division of state police, and the office of general services establish rules and regulations over the criteria for eligible professions related to wearing body vests (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits civilian purchase of bullet-resistant vests.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an individual from knowingly purchasing or taking possession of a body vest, unless engaged or employed in an eligible profession, and specifies first offenses as a class A misdemeanor and subsequent offenses as a class E felony (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits an individual or corporation from knowingly selling, exchanging, giving, delivering or disposing of a body vest to an individual whom they reasonably know to not be engaged or employed in an eligible profession and specifies that a first offenses as a class A misdemeanor and subsequent offenses as a class E felony (Sec. 1-2).

• Defines “eligible profession” as any duties that may expose the individual to serious physical injury that may be prevented or mitgated by wearing a body vest (Sec. 3).

• Requires the secretary of state, in consultation with the division of criminal justice services, homeland security and emergency services, department of corrections and community supervision, division of state police, and the office of general services establish rules and regulations over the criteria for eligible professions related to wearing body vests (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text