Maine

Maine has not achieved any pillars of rape kit reform. It is the only state that has not taken any action.

Reform Status
No Reform
Testing Status
Unknown

Pillar Count

0/6 Pillars
Maine has not achieved any pillars of rape kit reform. It is the only state that has not taken any action.
Statewide Inventory

No, the state has not carried out an inventory.

  • Is the inventory recurring? n/a
  • Are law enforcement agencies and/or labs required to participate in the inventory? n/a
  • Does the law require to document the date of when each kit was collected? n/a
  • Does the law require a reason to be given as to why the kit was not submitted to a crime lab for testing? n/a
  • Does the law require untested kits to be counted? n/a
Test Backlogged Kits

No, the state has not committed to testing its backlogged kits.

  • Does the law require law enforcement to submit all untested kits, including those past the statute of limitation, within a certain deadline? n/a
  • Does the law set a deadline for the crime laboratory to complete analysis once a kit has been submitted to the lab? n/a
  • Does the law require kits past the statute of limitations to be sent in for testing? n/a
  • Does the law allow public crime labs to outsource unsubmitted kits? n/a
Test New Kits

No, the state has not mandated testing.

  • According to the law, how much time after a rape kit examination do hospitals have to notify law enforcement that a kit is ready to be picked up? n/a
  • According to the law, after being notified, within what time frame is law enforcement required to pick up the kit? n/a
  • According to the law, after picking the kit up, within what time frame is law enforcement required to submit the kit to the lab? n/a
  • According to the law, after receiving the kit, within what time frame is the lab required to test the kit? n/a
  • Does the law allow crime labs to outsource kits for testing if they are unable to meet the deadline? n/a
Implement Tracking System

No, the state does not have a tracking system.

  • Does the law state that the tracking system should track initial collection at hospital, inventory and storage by law enforcement, and testing and storage by state labs? n/a
  • Does the law state that the tracking system should track if kit a has been destroyed? n/a
  • Does the law allow all agencies who participate in the tracking system to update the status of a kit? n/a
  • Does the law state that the tracking system should have a victim portal? n/a
  • Does the law require law enforcement, labs, and hospitals to participate in the tracking system? n/a
  • Does the law state that all previously untested kits should be entered into the system? n/a
Victim's Right To Know

No, the state has not granted victims the right to notice and be informed on the status of their kit.

  • Do victims have the right to receive information of the location, testing date, and testing results of their kit? n/a
  • Do victims have the right to be informed when there is any change in the status of their case? n/a
  • Do victims have the right to receive notification before destruction of their kit? n/a
  • Are victims granted further preservation of the kit or its probative contents? n/a
  • Are victims provided with the contact information for the designated liaison(s) at the corresponding law enforcement agency at the time that a kit is collected? n/a
  • Do victims have the right to receive a physical document identifying their rights under law? n/a
Fund Reform

No, the state has not allocated any of its own funds towards reform.

n/a

Take Action Today to Bring Further Rape Kit Reform to Maine

State Reform Timeline

2023
Bill: Enacted
Maine enacts L.D. 1632

In 2023, L.D. 1632 was enacted in Maine. This bill governs how unreported kits should be handled. According to this bill, law enforcement shall take possession of unreported kits from the medical facility. These kits should be stored for 20 years in law enforcement evidence rooms.

2018
Non-Legislative Reform
MECASA reported on rape kit tracking

In 2018, the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MECASA) published a report on rape kits in their state, gathering data through surveys, focus groups, and interviews with key stakeholders. Among their recommendations, they suggest the implementation of a tracking system, a rape kit audit, and a protocol for retention of rape kits by law enforcement. They also call for state funding to be directed toward the state lab for staffing to maintain the backlog.

We haven’t filed an Accountability FOIA in this state ⏤ yet.

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