ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A Maryland law enabling parents to better protect their children from identity theft is among several taking effect next week.

Same-sex marriage also will be allowed in Maryland next week, and another new law taking effect on Tuesday will allow veterans to have their veteran status shown on their driver’s license.

The child identity theft law will allow parents to freeze their child’s credit any time.

Credit agencies must place a security freeze on the credit of anyone who requests it. But they have been able to refuse to lock the credit of those who do not have a pre-existing credit report. If a child has a credit report, it usually means he or she is already a victim of fraud.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)