Bill > LD904

This bill modifies existing state law regarding fees charged by the Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory by adding a specific exemption for certain types of forensic testing related to criminal investigations. Specifically, the bill amends the law to require that the laboratory's fee schedule waive charges for tests conducted as part of a criminal investigation, including substance use testing, blood-alcohol or drug concentration level testing, and analysis of substances suspected to be illegal drugs. Under the current law, the laboratory establishes a fee schedule based on average service costs and provides some essential public health services for free, but this bill expands the free services to include these specific types of forensic testing. The purpose appears to be reducing financial barriers to criminal investigations by ensuring that law enforcement agencies do not have to pay for critical scientific testing needed to support criminal cases.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=904&snum=132