New Maryland State Law A new Maryland State Law taking effect January 1,2009 will require persons charged with a violent
crime or an attempt to commit one in Maryland must submit a DNA sample to a state database before conviction. Until now,
the law required only convicted felons to submit samples.
State and local authorities have spent months preparing to implement the
law, which expands Maryland's previous rules for DNA collection.
More than 400 state and local law enforcement personnel
have been trained to carry out the law. About 50,000 kits with swabs to collect samples were sent in December throughout the
state.
The state police crime lab has hired three scientist, and $400,000 in equipment has been purchased to handle thousands
of additional samples. An automated computer system will enable booking or charging officers to check whether a person who
has been charged must submit a DNA sample.An amendment was made to the new
law to address various concerns, including adding an automatic expunging process for people found innocent.
Along with
violent crimes, the Maryland law will affect people charged with first, second or third-degree burglary. New
Maryland State Web Site The new Web Site, www.problemsolver.maryland.gov was launched in November. the web site will pull the state government's vast resources and assistance programs into
one place. Ther are dozens
of programs and projects listed under 11 categories: children and families, seniors and disabled, education, shelter and housing,
employment, transportation, food, utilities and energy, finances, health and veterans. There is also a section with an online
eligibility calculator and other forms and tools.
The programs range from food stamps and kids health insurance to Medicaid
and housing counseling. There's also information on help paying utility bills, filing for unemployment, finding job training
and even applying for college financial aid.
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