WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

LD 412

An Act To Prohibit The Sale Or Provision Of Self-Administered Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Collection Kits

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mark Babin and 8 co-sponsors

Prohibits sale or provision of at-home sexual assault forensic kits in Maine to ensure evidence collection is done by trained professionals, protecting victims and evidence.

Signed by Governor
#criminalprocedure #evidence #sexassaultevidencekits
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LD 412

Summary — LD 412

Title: An Act To Prohibit The Sale Or Provision Of Self-Administered Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Collection Kits
Bill Number: LD 412 — Signed by Governor (2025-05-29)
Introduced: 2025-02-04
Subject: Criminal procedure; evidence; sex assault evidence kits

Purpose and intent

LD 412 prohibits the sale or provision of self‑administered sexual assault forensic evidence collection kits (commonly marketed as at‑home or do‑it‑yourself sexual assault evidence kits). The measure is intended to ensure that forensic evidence collection is performed under appropriate medical and legal protocols (e.g., by trained professionals), thereby protecting evidence integrity, victims’ health, and the admissibility of collected evidence in criminal or civil proceedings.

Key provisions

  • Prohibition on the sale or provision of self‑administered sexual assault forensic evidence collection kits in the State of Maine.
  • The bill as enacted incorporated Committee Amendment “A” (H‑246); the text of that amendment is not included in the materials provided.
  • Enforcement mechanisms, penalties, and any exceptions (if present) are not specified in the provided documents.

Who or what is affected

  • Businesses and individuals that manufacture, distribute, advertise, sell, or provide self‑administered sexual assault forensic kits (including online sellers).
  • Survivors or individuals who might consider purchasing or using an at‑home kit.
  • Health care providers, sexual assault forensic exam programs, and law enforcement may be indirectly affected by changes in how evidence is collected and processed.
  • Courts: the bill may change litigation patterns (see fiscal note).

Fiscal and procedural impact

  • Fiscal notes (approved 03/20/25 and 05/22/25) estimate a minor General Fund cost increase and a minor General Fund revenue increase.
    • The bill may prompt a small increase in civil suits filed in state courts; workload is expected to be minimal and not require additional funding.
    • Additional filing fees associated with any new cases would generate modest additional General Fund revenue.
  • No corrections budget impacts were identified in the provided materials.

Legislative status and timeline

  • Referred to Judiciary Committee (02/04/2025); work session and OTP‑AM recommendation reported out 03/14/2025 and 05/21/2025.
  • Committee Amendment “A” (H‑246) adopted; bill passed to be enacted by both chambers (concurrence) on 05/22/2025 and 05/27/2025.
  • Signed into law by the Governor on 05/29/2025.
  • The effective date or implementation details were not included in the provided documents.

Notes: The summary above is based on provided bill metadata and fiscal notes; the full statutory text (including definitions, enforcement, penalties, and any exceptions) was not provided and would be needed for a complete legal analysis.

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

Sign in to ask a question.