AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives gave final approval on Tuesday to a measure sponsored by Rep. Valli Geiger, D-Rockland, that would establish a statewide sexual assault forensic examination kit tracking system.
Many states have already established a tracking system, while others have passed laws that require every rape kit to be tested. Maine is currently the only state in the nation that has not passed any recommended reforms.
"After a long road, I am happy that Maine is now one step closer to joining every other state in increasing access to justice for survivors of sexual assault and helping to prosecute serial predators," said Geiger. "If a sexual assault victim has a forensic exam, this bill would guarantee for them that that kit will be recorded, tracked and available for testing."
Roughly 14,000 Mainers experience sexual violence each year, yet most sexual assaults reported to law enforcement never result in arrests. Geiger's bill would help Maine address this gap by improving rape kit testing practices. LD 2129 would bring Maine into compliance with certain standards set by the Joyful Heart Foundation, a leading national organization for sexual assault survivor advocacy.
The bill would establish a statewide inventory of untested sexual assault forensic kits that are currently held in medical facilities, crime labs and law enforcement agencies. It would also establish a mechanism for survivors to check the status of their kits, and it would require the facilities to report on the number of untested kits in their possession.
The bill faces additional votes in the coming days.
Geiger is serving her second term in the Maine House and represents District 42, which includes Rockland, Owls Head, North Haven and part of Matinicus Isle. She is a member of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee and the Labor and Housing Committee.