Justice Department would generally buy body armor with U.S. fibers

The Justice Department generally could not spend its money on body armor containing foreign protective fibers. The rule would cover Justice Department purchases of hard or soft body armor, including armor containing fibers reused or recycled outside the United States. The restriction would not apply if the Attorney General finds that armor with U.S. fibers cannot be bought when needed at U.S. market prices. An exception would also cover fibers found to meet both federal sourcing laws named in the bill, the Berry and Kissel Amendments.

Armor suppliers would disclose countries of origin, and armor on the certified-products list with foreign fibers could not carry American-made labels. Suppliers that submit or previously submitted armor for federal compliance testing would report where armor is made and its fibers come from. Disclosures would appear on the certified-products list, including existing listings. The National Institute of Justice would decide whether these rules also cover advanced materials that replace protective fibers. Disclosure requirements would begin within 60 days of enactment, with publication required within 90 days. After certification under the latest standard, list updates would be required as soon as reasonably possible, within 30 days.

The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers would provide training on the source disclosures. The training would cover the disclosure requirement for governments seeking Justice Department grants to buy body armor. Receiving a grant would not be required; governments that have applied would also qualify.