HARRY HUGHES, Governor

2981

BY adding to

Article 88A - Social Services Administration

Section 130

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1974 Replacement Volume and 1981 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
read(s) as follows:

Article 88A - Social Services Administration

130.

(A) (1) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS AND DECLARES THAT
AN INCREASING NUMBER OF RAPE AND SEXUAL OFFENSE VICTIMS IN
MARYLAND DO NOT HAVE ACCESSS ACCESS TO NECESSARY COUNSELING
AND FOLLOW-UP SERVICES. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FURTHER FINDS
THAT SEVERAL AREAS OF THE STATE HAVE EXTREMELY LIMITED
SUPPORT SERVICES TO ASSIST AN ALLEGED VICTIM OF RAPE AND
OTHER SEXUAL OFFENSES.

(2) THE INTENTION OF THIS SECTION IS TO PROVIDE
FOR RAPE CRISIS CENTERS PROGRAMS WHICH WILL SERVE TO ADDRESS
THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF A RAPE VICTIM NOT OBTAINABLE THROUGH
ANY EXISTING SERVICES OR PROGRAMS IN CERTAIN AREAS OF
MARYLAND.

(B)  (1) THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES SHALL
SUPERVISE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF RAPE CRISIS ASSIST IN
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF RAPE CRISIS PROGRAMS IN THIS STATE.

(2)  THE PROGRAMS SHALL BE DEVELOPED AND LOCATED
IN AREAS OF THE STATE TO FACILITATE THE USE OF THE PROGRAM
BY ALLEGED VICTIMS RESIDING IN THE SURROUNDING AREA.

(3)  THE PROGRAM PROGRAMS SHALL PROVIDE
SPECIALIZED SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE ALLEGED VICTIMS OF RAPE
AND SEXUAL OFFENSES.

(4)  THE PROGRAM SHALL INCLUDE:

(I) A HOTLINE;
(II) COUNSELING;

(III) ESCORT SERVICES TO ASSIST IN MEDICAL

AND LEGAL PROCESSES;

(IV) REFERRAL;

(V) EMERGENCY SERVICES, SUCH AS CHILD
CARE, CLOTHING, AND TRANSPORTATION.