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MaineLD 1651132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Remove the Term "Alleged" When Referring to Victims of Sexual Assault in the Provisions of the Maine Revised Statutes Pertaining to Forensic Examinations

Sponsored By: Dylan Pugh (Democratic)

Became Law

CRIMESCRIMES - SEX OFFENSES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Exams allowed when victim is unconscious

Hospitals and providers may perform a forensic exam when a victim is unconscious and an emergency justifies it. The exam must preserve the victim’s anonymity, and police must tell the district attorney right away that a kit was completed. Providers who use due care are not liable for acts or omissions during the exam, and medical staff are protected when they give reports or testimony for prosecution.

Free confidential sexual assault exams

You do not have to report to police to get a forensic exam. Hospitals and providers must bill the Victims’ Compensation Board directly, not you or your insurer. The Board pays the exam’s actual cost up to $750 per exam. Bills use only the kit’s tracking number and must not name you. The Board covers evidence collection and related pregnancy and STD testing and treatment; other medical care can be billed or reimbursed separately. The Board tracks exam spending separately from other victim payments.

DA pays some exam and lab costs

In cases reported to police that involve a minor or serious bodily injury, the district attorney pays for a physical exam done to collect evidence. For gross sexual assault, the Board pays for the forensic exam, and the district attorney pays for any drug or alcohol test analysis used for prosecution. The district attorney pays only when there is no insurance or other payer, only from appropriated funds, and after receiving requested reports and records.

Long-term kit storage and tracking

If you have not reported the assault when the exam is finished, the hospital must tell the nearest police, who take and store the kit. Kits are labeled only with a tracking number, and you can get that number and the storage agency. Police must store sexual-assault kits for 20 years and strangulation-only kits for 6 years. Another part of this section references an 8-year hold for unreported kits; the 20- and 6-year limits govern storage.

Standard exam kits and training

The Department of Public Safety sets one standard kit and checklist for sexual assault exams and provides those kits to hospitals and providers. Hospitals and practitioners must use the standard kit and be trained in proper evidence collection. Courts may not throw out evidence just because a nonstandard kit was used or the examiner lacked that training.

Funding cap for examiner training

The Victims’ Compensation Fund pays for sexual assault forensic examiner training and education. Spending for this training is capped at $50,000 per year.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Dylan Pugh

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Amy Kuhn

    Democratic • House

  • Anne M. Carney

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dani O'Halloran

    Democratic • House

  • Eleanor Sato

    Democratic • House

  • Lori Gramlich

    Democratic • House

  • Rafael Macias

    Democratic • House

  • Valli Geiger

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 109

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    5/21/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/20/2025House

  4. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-142) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-142), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    5/14/2025Senate

  5. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-142).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/13/2025House

  6. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY in concurrence

    4/15/2025Senate

  7. Committee on Judiciary suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/15/2025House

Bill Text

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