Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits the self-administering of a sexual assault evidence collection kit, and establishes its evidence as admissible in court.

Highlights:

• Prohibits the introduction of information that physical evidence of sexually assaultive behavior was obtained using certain materials, providing the selling, offering for sale, or distribution of a self-administered sexual assault evidence collection kit (Sec. 1). 

• Establishes a Forensic Nurse Examiner Training Grant Program Fund for a non-lapsing fund generally relating to self-administered sexual assault evidence collection kits (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that the following act does not apply to a self-administered sexual assault evidence collection kit that is used by the Maryland Department of Health (Sec. 1). 

• Establishes the aforementioned kit as an unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice (Sec. 1). 

• Expands that any person found to be selling, buying, or distributing the aforementioned kits to be in violation and deserving of a civil penalty not exceeding $1,000 (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that all fines, penalties, and damages collected for these violations shall be deposited into the Forensic Nurse Examiner Training Grant Program Fund (Sec. 1). 

• Prohibits the information that physical evidence of sexually assaultive behavior was obtained using a kit that was sold, offered, or distributed in a manner in violation of this act as being admissible in a criminal or civil proceeding (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the Act to take effect from the date it is enacted (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text