New Maryland laws limiting concealed carry, removing spousal rape protection take effect Oct. 1

New restrictions on concealed carry holders, making spousal rape a criminal offense and mandatory fentanyl testing during hospital visits are some of Maryland’s new laws taking effect Sunday.

Lawful concealed carry owners will no longer be allowed to take their guns to schools, stadiums, museums, polling locations, medical facilities and businesses that serve alcohol or marijuana to be consumed on premises.

Additional locations where concealed carry will be banned include government and university buildings, racetracks and a variety of utility locations — electrical and gas plants and nuclear power facilities.

On-duty police and correctional officers, as well as security guards and military personnel on duty or going to their post will be exempt from these restrictions.

Sunday will also see the start of a requirement where hospitals must screen for fentanyl when conducting urine tests. Positive test results will be sent to the state’s Health Department without the patients’ identifying information.

Substance abusers will be exempt from criminal charges for drug possession if they seek emergency medical help while using alcohol or drugs. That update is a part of Maryland’s Good Samaritan Law.

Meanwhile, legal protection will be removed for lawfully wedded partners who rape their spouse. The protection was called spousal defense.

Criminal charges can be brought against the spouse who “uses force or threat of force” while committing a non-consensual sexual act with the partner.

The waiting period for ex-cons to expunge their records will be reduced Sunday. Misdemeanor offenders will be able to expunge their records five years after they finish their sentence as opposed to the current 10-year period.

Felons convicted of assault will be able to expunge their records seven years after their sentence is completed, while burglars can have their records erased 10 years after they finish their sentence.

Hate crime victims will be able to sue their offender or offending group in civil court.

The statute of limitations on child sexual abuse will be lifted.