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<section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="11-929" title_number="11" title_name="Victims and Witnesses" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Victims and Witnesses -- Services">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“Law enforcement agency” has the meaning stated in § 3–201(d) of the Public Safety Article.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>“Sexually assaultive behavior” has the meaning stated in § 10–923 of the Courts Article.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>“Victim” means any person suspected to have been subjected to sexually assaultive behavior or who claims to have been subjected to sexually assaultive behavior.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>In an interaction with a victim, a law enforcement agency may not present to the victim a form or make a request for verbal acknowledgement purporting to:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>relieve the law enforcement agency of an obligation to the victim;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>preclude or define the scope of an investigation by the law enforcement agency into an act allegedly committed against the victim;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>prevent or limit a prosecution of an act allegedly committed against the victim; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>limit a private right of action of the victim pertaining to an act allegedly committed against the victim or the victim’s interaction with the law enforcement agency.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>If a victim requests that the scope of an investigation be limited or that an investigation be temporarily or permanently suspended, the law enforcement agency shall:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>thoroughly document the request; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>follow up with the victim in accordance with practices recommended by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>If a law enforcement agency violates this section, an affected victim may bring an action seeking injunctive or declaratory relief.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <level label="1">
      <text>On or before January 1, 2021, each law enforcement agency in the State shall adopt a policy to enforce the provisions of this section.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>On or before January 15, 2021, each law enforcement agency shall provide a copy of the policy required under this subsection to the Maryland Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Policy and Funding Committee.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
