A. Laboratories and Procedures for Analysis.
(1) Laboratories.
- (a) The Department of Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division is an approved laboratory to conduct tests of blood for alcohol.
- (b) Approval by the Toxicologist of any other laboratory is required before it may perform any test of blood for alcohol in accordance with Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, §10-304, Annotated Code of Maryland.
- (c) An individual may receive a copy of the list of currently approved laboratories from the Department of Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division at no charge.
(2) Equipment and Procedures for Analysis.
- (a) The Toxicologist shall approve all equipment and analytical procedures for the testing of blood for alcohol.
- (b) Approved equipment shall be calibrated with alcohol calibration solution or solutions approved by the Toxicologist.
- (c) The calibration shall be checked using an alcohol control solution.
- (d) Alcohol control solution test results may not deviate greater than plus or minus 0.010 gram/100 milliliters from its stated concentration.
- (e) The laboratory shall perform evidentiary tests of blood for alcohol in duplicate and the duplicate results may not deviate greater than plus or minus 0.010 gram/100 milliliters.
- (f) For subject tests, the lower of the duplicate results shall be truncated to the second decimal place and reported as the result of the blood test.
B. Personnel.
- (1) Qualified Medical Personnel. Any qualified medical person is approved to withdraw blood for the testing of blood for alcohol content.
(2) Analyst.
- (a) The Toxicologist shall certify an analyst performing tests of blood for alcohol content as a qualified person.
(b) The Toxicologist shall:
- (i) Review the credentials of the analyst;
- (ii) Direct a program of training as necessary; and
- (iii) Set standards for maintenance of proficiency.
- (c) The Toxicologist shall recertify the analyst on a regular basis.
- (d) A certified analyst shall perform at least one batch of subject specimens or proficiency specimens annually.
C. Procedures for Administering an Evidentiary Test of Blood for Alcohol.
- (1) The blood specimen shall be withdrawn by qualified medical personnel.
- (2) Blood sampling equipment shall be approved by the Toxicologist.
- (3) The arresting officer or another law enforcement officer may witness the withdrawal of the blood.
(4) The law enforcement officer shall:
- (a) Fill out all forms contained in the approved blood sampling equipment kit; and
- (b) Be certain all seals are signed and properly affixed.
- (5) The sample shall be delivered by messenger or mail to the Department of Maryland State Police in containers provided with the sampling equipment.
Authority: Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, §§10-304 and 10-306; Health-General Article, §17-214(g); Public Safety Article, §2-205;
Transportation Article, §2-205; Annotated Code of Maryland
Effective date:
Regulations .01—.09 adopted as an emergency provision effective February 20, 2023 (50:7 Md. R. 297); expired effective July 21, 2023
New Regulations .01 — .09 adopted effective November 25, 2024 (51:23 Md. R. 1038)