Maryland Governor - Executive and Administrative Departments Section 4-301

      (a)      (1)      In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

            (2)      "DNA" means deoxyribonucleic acid.

            (3)      "DNA technology equipment" means any equipment used for DNA testing purposes including those purposes listed under § 2-505 of the Public Safety Article.

            (4)      "Executive Director" means the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention.

            (5)      "Fund" means the DNA Technology Fund established under this section.

            (6)      "Local law enforcement agency" means the agency of any county or municipal corporation, including Baltimore City, within the State that performs police protection functions.

      (b)      A DNA Technology Fund is established to assist the Department of State Police and local law enforcement agencies in acquiring DNA technology equipment needed to test DNA samples.

      (c)      (1)      The Executive Director shall administer the Fund in accordance with this section and other applicable law.

            (2)      The Fund shall consist of money received from any private entity or federal agency for the purpose of collecting and testing DNA samples.

            (3)      Payments out of the Fund shall be made to the Department of State Police and a local law enforcement agency by the State Treasurer as authorized by the Executive Director.

            (4)      (i)      The Fund is a continuing, nonlapsing fund which is not subject to § 7-302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.

                  (ii)      The Treasurer shall separately hold and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund in conjunction with the Executive Director.

                  (iii)      The Treasurer may invest moneys in the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.

      (d)      (1)      The Executive Director shall establish application procedures for the Department of State Police and local law enforcement agencies to apply for aid from the Fund.

            (2)      The Department of State Police and a local law enforcement agency applying for aid from the Fund shall provide to the Executive Director any information that the Executive Director deems necessary in making awards for DNA technology equipment.

      (e)      The Executive Director shall provide grants for the purchase or replacement of DNA technology equipment to the Department of State Police and local law enforcement agencies based upon the needs of the Department of State Police and the comparative needs of each local law enforcement agency as determined from the information provided under subsection (d)(2) of this section.

      (f)      After the Department of State Police or a local law enforcement agency receives notice of a grant award from the Executive Director, the Department of State Police or the local law enforcement agency shall submit proof of expenditures on DNA technology equipment to the Executive Director.

      (g)      The Executive Director shall report annually by September 1 to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly as to the distribution of aid provided under this section.