Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB1266: Criminal Procedure - Victims of Sexual Assault Offenses - Test Kit Submission Requirements
Status: Failed, March 16, 2026
Altering the deadline by which a certain law enforcement agency must submit a certain sexual assault evidence collection kit and associated reference standards to a forensic laboratory for analysis.
What the bill says
A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Criminal Procedure - Victims of Sexual Assault Offenses - Test Kit Submission Requirements FOR the purpose of altering the deadline by which a certain law enforcement agency must submit a certain sexual assault evidence collection kit and associated reference standards to a forensic laboratory for analysis; and generally relating to sexual assault evidence collection kits…
From the introduced text, February 12, 2026:
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Criminal Procedure - Victims of Sexual Assault Offenses - Test Kit Submission Requirements FOR the purpose of altering the deadline by which a certain law enforcement agency must submit a certain sexual assault evidence collection kit and associated reference standards to a forensic laboratory for analysis; and generally relating to sexual assault evidence collection kits. BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Criminal Procedure Section 11-926(a)(1) and (5) and (e) Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Criminal Procedure Section 11-926(g) Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Criminal Procedure 11-926. (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (5) (i) "Sexual assault evidence collection kit" means physical evidence collected: EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist in g l aw . *hb1266* HOUSE BILL 1266 1. by a qualified health care provider; 2. from the body or clothing of a living or deceased person; 3. following an allegation or suspicion of sexual assault; and 4. for the purpose of preserving the physical evidence. (ii) "Sexual assault evidence collection kit" does not include …
Sponsors
- William Valentine (R, 2A) · primary sponsor
- Elizabeth Embry (D, 43A)
- William Wivell (R, HD-002A)
Latest actions
- : Withdrawn by Sponsor
- : Hearing canceled
- : Hearing 3/05 at 1:00 p.m.
- : First Reading Judiciary
Common questions
- What is HB1266?
- HB1266 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Criminal Procedure - Victims of Sexual Assault Offenses - Test Kit Submission Requirements.
- What does HB1266 do?
- In its own words: A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Criminal Procedure - Victims of Sexual Assault Offenses - Test Kit Submission Requirements FOR the purpose of altering the deadline by which a certain law enforcement agency must submit a certain sexual assault evidence collection kit and associated reference standards to a forensic laboratory for analysis; and generally relating to sexual assault evidence collection kits…
- What is the status of HB1266?
- Failed as of March 16, 2026. Latest action: Withdrawn by Sponsor (March 16, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1266?
- William Valentine (R, 2A), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1266?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb1266?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.