Bill > HB675

This bill modifies Maryland's existing laws regarding the Rape Kit Testing Grant Fund and sexual assault evidence collection kit tracking. The bill extends the deadline for law enforcement agencies and other entities to report location, status, and chain of custody information for sexual assault evidence collection kits from December 31, 2025, to March 31, 2026. It expands the purpose of the Rape Kit Testing Grant Fund to include providing funding for law enforcement agencies' testing of sexual assault evidence collection kits (including equipment, supplies, personnel, and outsourcing), supporting the Office of the Attorney General in investigating uninvestigated sexual assault cases, funding a statewide sexual assault victim notification hotline, and supporting peer-to-peer telehealth programs. The bill also prohibits using the Fund to support the sexual assault evidence collection kit tracking program. Additionally, it requires the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy to ensure funds are distributed to test all sexual assault evidence collection kits collected before October 1, 2020, and allows the director to make grants from the Fund for up to 36 months. The changes aim to improve the processing and tracking of sexual assault evidence and provide better support for victims.

Justice

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0675?ys=2025RS