ME LD549

Department of Public Safety must establish and maintain a statewide tracking system for all sexual assault forensic examination kits, allowing victims anonymous access to track their kit's status through processing, custody, analysis, and destruction

Law enforcement agencies must store sexual assault forensic examination kits for 20 years (increased from 8 years), regardless of whether the alleged offense is reported

Beginning January 1, 2027, all completed forensic examination kits must be transported to the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory for processing, with law enforcement required to submit stored kits identifying alleged victims every 5 years thereafter

All law enforcement agencies must complete an inventory of kits in their possession by June 1, 2026, and the Department of Public Safety must report findings to the Legislature by January 1, 2027

Designated as emergency legislation to continue work begun under a federal grant ending June 2025, with annual reporting requirements to the Legislature on kit tracking statistics by county