MARYLAND - A slew of new laws took effect in Maryland starting yesterday, October 1st. Among them are bolstered legal recourse for victims of child sex abuse, police reform, and concealed carry restrictions, and changes to gun licensing.
Here’s a summary of a few new laws now active in Maryland:
Child Sex Abuse Lawsuits
Maryland’s statute of limitations for civil lawsuits against institutions for alleged child sexual abuse has come to an end. Victims who suffered sexual abuse under 18 can now sue the institutions for that abuse years later. Victims across the state have already prepared to file suits, and the Archdiocese of Baltimore has been weighing filing for bankruptcy protection in light of the new law. A provision of the new legislation would put lawsuits on hold if the law is legally challenged and taken up by the Maryland Supreme Court.
Concealed Carry Restrictions
Areas where concealed carry is permitted in Maryland have been diminished, with a new law restricting concealed carry in certain places. Concealed carry at “areas for children or vulnerable adults,” such as a school or healthcare facility, for instance, will no longer be permitted.
The law also banned carrying a gun in a government or public infrastructure area, or a place licensed to sell alcohol, cannabis, stadiums, museums, casinos, and racetracks. A legal challenge and preliminary injunction, however, have blocked the new law from prohibiting concealed carry in private buildings, bars, and near public demonstrations.
Firearm Licenses
Another new gun law has changed the process of obtaining or renewing a permit to wear, carry, or transport a gun. The legislation increases the age of obtaining a permit from 18 to 21. It also denies handgun permits for those on supervised probation for a crime that was punishable up to a year or more in prison, people convicted of DUIs, and people who violate protective orders.
Those with mental illnesses with a history of violent behavior and those who have been involuntarily admitted to a mental health facility for more than 30 days will also be barred from carrying a gun.
This new licensing law is also facing a federal court challenge along with the new concealed carry law.
Firearm Storage
A third gun-related law forbids Marylanders from storing a loaded gun where they know or should know an unsupervised minor can access it. Known as Jaelynn’s Law, it was named for a 16-year-old Great Mills High School student who was killed in 2018 by another student who used his father’s gun.
Spousal Rape
Yesterday also activated a new law repealing exemption from prosecution for certain sexual crimes if the person who committed the crimes was the spouse of the victim at the time.
Hate Crime Civil Action
Those who are victims of a hate crime will now be able to bring civil action against the person who committed it. Courts are authorized to impose an injunction and award damages to hate crime victims.
Police Prosecutions
A new law has given the Attorney General of Maryland independent authority to file criminal charges against police in officer-involved death investigations. The law expands police reform laws that began after the 2020 murder of George Floyd.
Fentanyl Testing
Maryland hospitals will now be required to test for fentanyl as part of drug screenings if the screening is meant to help diagnose a person’s condition.
Service Dogs Discrimination
A new law now forbids discrimination in the sale or rental of a home against those with a disability who has a certain service dog.