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Bill > LD1816

ME LD1816

ME LD1816
An Act to Establish a Statewide Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Kit Tracking System and Conduct an Inventory of Existing Forensic Examination Kits in the Possession of Law Enforcement

summary

Introduced
04/29/2025
In Committee
04/29/2025
Crossed Over
06/17/2025
Passed
06/17/2025
Dead

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment
132nd Legislature

Bill Summary

This bill directs the Department of Public Safety to establish, operate and maintain a sexual assault forensic examination kit tracking system for all completed kits regardless of whether the alleged offense related to the kit was reported to a law enforcement agency. The tracking system must be continuously accessible to approved users. The department is required to submit a report by January 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over criminal justice and public safety matters and the Governor concerning information related to the status of sexual assault forensic examination kits reported in the tracking system. The bill provides requirements for the tracking system and requires the department to adopt routine technical rules, including rules regarding participation in the tracking system, confidentiality and the operation of the tracking system. The bill directs that, by June 1, 2026, a law enforcement agency that receives, maintains, stores or preserves sexual assault forensic examination kits must complete an inventory of all kits in its possession and report its findings to the Department of Public Safety. The department must compile all agency reports and present findings of the inventory by January 1, 2027 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over criminal justice and public safety matters and at the same time post the report on the department's publicly accessible website. Public Law 2023, chapter 236 changed a provision in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 25 to require law enforcement agencies to store sexual assault forensic examination kits for 20 years. For consistency with that provision, this bill amends a provision in Title 24 to require law enforcement agencies to store sexual assault forensic examination kits for 20 years.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a comprehensive statewide tracking system for sexual assault forensic examination kits (also known as rape kits) to improve transparency and accountability in handling evidence related to sexual assault cases. The bill requires the Department of Public Safety to create a digital tracking system that allows approved users, including healthcare providers and law enforcement agencies, to log and track the status of each forensic examination kit from its initial receipt through potential analysis and storage. By June 1, 2026, all law enforcement agencies must conduct a complete inventory of their existing kits, reporting details such as the number of completed kits, whether the alleged assault was reported, and the kit's analysis status. The tracking system will provide an anonymous way for sexual assault survivors to check the status of their kit and will require participating agencies to enter specific information at each stage of the kit's handling. Law enforcement agencies will now be required to store sexual assault forensic examination kits for 20 years, regardless of whether the alleged offense has been reported. The department must submit an annual report to the Legislature starting January 1, 2027, detailing the number of kits, their status, and analysis timelines. This legislation aims to strengthen the state's response to sexual assault by creating a more transparent and accountable system for handling forensic evidence.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (9)

Last Action

CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800. (on 06/25/2025)

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