Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Maryland Code, Health-General § 17-2A-02

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a)(1) The Secretary shall adopt regulations that set standards and requirements for forensic laboratories.

(2) The regulations shall contain the standards and requirements that the Secretary considers necessary to assure the citizens of the State that forensic laboratories provide safe, reliable, and accurate services.

(3) The regulations shall:

(i) Require the director of a forensic laboratory to establish and administer an ongoing quality assurance program using standards acceptable to the Secretary;

(ii) Require the director of a forensic laboratory to retain all case files for at least 10 years;

(iii) Establish qualifications for the personnel of forensic laboratories;

(iv) Establish procedures for verifying the background and education of the personnel of forensic laboratories; and

(v) Establish any additional standards that the Secretary considers necessary to assure that forensic laboratories provide accurate and reliable services.

(b)(1) A forensic laboratory that examines or analyzes physical evidence shall demonstrate satisfactory performance in an approved proficiency testing program specifically related to the particular forensic analysis being performed.

(2) The Secretary shall adopt regulations for the forensic proficiency testing program that:

(i) Define satisfactory proficiency testing performance; and

(ii) Set standards and requirements that a forensic proficiency testing program shall meet.

(3) The Department shall review a forensic laboratory's proficiency testing program.

(c) To assure compliance with the standards and requirements under this subtitle, the Secretary shall conduct:

(1) An inspection of each forensic laboratory for which a license to operate is sought; and

(2) An inspection of each forensic laboratory for which a license has been issued.

(d) To assure compliance with the standards and requirements under this subtitle, the Secretary may conduct:

(1) A complaint investigation; and

(2) A validation survey of an accredited forensic laboratory.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Maryland Code, Health-General § 17-2A-02 - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/md/health-general/md-code-health-gen-sect-17-2a-02/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard