More than $6 million in federal and state funds are expected to help police departments in Maryland test rape kits.
The Baltimore Sun reported Wednesday that six police departments submitted applications to the state to get a share of the money.
Maryland has a backlog of untested kits. Ten of the state’s largest police departments in 2018 reported having more than 6,500.
A state law that goes into effect Jan. 1 requires authorities to quickly send most kits for forensic analysis unless the victim opposes.
The newspaper has reported that police departments have destroyed hundreds of kits even though victims sometimes reconsider whether to press charges. Under a 2017 law, departments now must keep kits for two decades.
Testing a kit on average costs $1,000 to $1,500.