LD 549 Maine Senate · 132nd Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act To Establish A Statewide Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Kit Tracking System And Update Certain Requirements Regarding Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Kits

This bill establishes a statewide tracking system for sexual assault forensic examination kits (SAKs) and updates storage requirements. It requires hospitals to notify law enforcement when an exam is completed but the victim hasn't reported the assault, mandating 20 years of secure storage for unreported kits (previously 8 years). Victims who later decide to report can request kit processing with consent, and results must remain anonymous. For victims unable to decide within 60 days, courts may authorize extended storage or processing after considering public safety and likelihood of recovery. The emergency designation addresses a federal grant deadline to prevent interruption of an existing tracking initiative.
Bill status died 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 11, 2025 Last action Apr 29, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
30
Key actions
7
Committee
7
Jun 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
PASSED TO BE ENACTED.
lower
Jun 17, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Reported Out - OTP-AM/OTP-AM
legislature
Jun 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Amendment "B" (S-429) was READ and ADOPTED.
lower
Jun 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
On motion of Representative KUHN of Falmouth, the Minority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.
lower
Jun 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment "B" (S-429) READ and ADOPTED
upper
Jun 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
On motion by Senator CARNEY of Cumberland the Minority Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee Amendment "B" (S-429) Report ACCEPTED.
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY.
lower
Feb 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee on JUDICIARY suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on JUDICIARY Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence
upper
1 primary · 8 co-sponsors

Sponsors