Two out of three proposed laws that would change the way rape cases are handled passed preliminary approval in the Senate on Tuesday. A final hearing on the bills should come this Thursday.
One bill would set standards for how long police departments have to hold onto rape kits, one would change the legal definition of rape and the third would allow prosecutors in certain circumstances to introduce evidence in court that a defendant committed past sexual assaults.
RELATED: Lawmkers in Annapolis set to consider three bills this week dealing with rape and sexual assault
Ebony Johnson, a sexual assault survivor, said it's time for Maryland to update its law to protect those who have been raped or sexually assaulted.
"We got to kind of get with the times right now and hopefully these bills will make it to the govern's desk so that we can."
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