These new laws go into effect in Maryland on Jan. 1

By Hallie Miller

Baltimore Sun

Dec 31, 2019 at 7:04 am

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This bill requires that law enforcement agencies submit sexual assault evidence collection kits to forensic laboratories for testing within 30 days of receipt, and calls for kit tests to be processed in a timely manner. There are exceptions, such as if there is clear evidence disproving the assault allegation and if the alleged victim does not give consent for an analysis.

A new year entails a host of changes to Maryland law.

While many bills go into effect on Oct. 1 or July 1, others kick in on the first day of 2020. Here’s a sampling of some of the notable changes, updates and provisions that get under way this week.