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LD 549

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

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dan Ankeles and 8 co-sponsors

Establishes a statewide tracking system for sexual assault kits, mandates DPS inventories and annual report, and requires agencies log and share kit data to improve accountability.

Died in Possession of the Senate when the Legislature adjourned Sine Die and was PLACED IN THE LEGISLATIVE FILES. (DEAD)
#criminalprocedure #evidence #forensicexaminationkits
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Bill Summary · LD 549

LD 549 — Summary

Title: An Act To Establish A Statewide Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Kit Tracking System and Update Certain Requirements Regarding Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Kits
Bill Number: LD 549
Sponsor: Sen. Bennett (Oxford)
Introduced: February 11, 2025
Subject: Criminal procedure; evidence; forensic examination kits
Current status (as of June 25, 2025): CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature (pursuant to Joint Order SP 800). The bill was passed to be enacted by the Legislature (with Committee Amendment “B” (S‑429) adopted) but is carried over for the next session.

Purpose / Intent

The bill requires the State to create and operate a statewide tracking system for sexual assault forensic examination kits (SAFEs / “rape kits”), strengthen inventory and reporting requirements for those kits, and update related statutory requirements governing how kits are managed and tracked.

Key provisions

  • Directs the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to establish, operate and maintain a statewide sexual assault forensic examination kit tracking system.
  • Requires DPS to perform an inventory of all existing forensic examination kits and to produce an annual report on the tracking system.
  • Requires law enforcement agencies to provide tracking information to DPS for each municipality or county where a kit was entered into the system and to complete an inventory of all kits in their possession.
  • Updates unspecified statutory requirements regarding sexual assault forensic examination kits (the fiscal documents summarize implementation tasks but do not enumerate all statutory text changes).

Note: Committee Amendment “B” (S‑429) was adopted; the fiscal notes for the amended bill specify staffing and operational components (see Fiscal Impact).

Who is affected

  • Department of Public Safety: responsible for system creation, inventories, staffing and reporting.
  • Law enforcement agencies (state, county, municipal): required to provide inventory and tracking data; must cooperate with DPS.
  • Victims/survivors of sexual assault: beneficiaries of improved kit tracking and accountability.
  • Maine forensic laboratory operations: will see increased workload and staffing changes.
  • Municipalities/counties: may incur administrative costs to comply with inventory and reporting requirements.

Fiscal impact and staffing (from Fiscal Notes)

  • Amended bill (approved 05/30/25) projects General Fund costs and Highway Fund allocations as follows:
    • FY 2025‑26: $372,384 (General Fund) and $200,514 (Highway Fund)
    • FY 2026‑27: $414,156 (GF) and $223,007 (HF)
    • Projections increase through FY 2028‑29 to approximately $495,230 (GF) and $266,662 (HF)
  • Staffing included in the amended fiscal estimate: 1 Forensic Chemist II, 1 Forensic Chemist I, and 2 DNA Forensic Analyst positions, plus one‑time costs for a mobile Crime Lab office and related startup expenses.
  • Local cost: described as “moderate statewide.” The bill’s required local activities could constitute a state mandate under the Maine Constitution; the amended fiscal note lists the state mandate as “Exempted.”

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Committee on Judiciary recommended amendment(s); Committee Amendment B (S‑429) was adopted.
  • The Legislature voted “Passed to be Enacted” and required a two‑thirds vote under Section 21 of Article IX for emergency/special appropriations related action; however, the bill is carried over to the next special or regular session (not finally enacted into law as of the last action).
  • Next step: consideration in the special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature; final enactment will determine appropriation and implementation timelines.

If you want, I can produce a one‑page checklist of implementation tasks DPS and local agencies would need to meet if the bill becomes law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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