Gov. Mills signs Sen. Carney bill to help protect Maine children and adults with disabilities from sexual assault and physical abuse

AUGUSTA ­­— On July 25, Gov. Janet Mills held a ceremonial bill signing for legislation sponsored by Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth. LD 765, “An Act to Permit Recordings of a Protected Person to Be Admissible in Evidence,” will help protect Maine children and adults with disabilities from sexual assault and physical abuse. LD 765 requires rigorous standards for forensic interviewers and the recording of forensic interviews. It will allow these recordings to be admissible in civil and criminal cases, subject to other court rules of evidence.

“Child advocacy centers have specially trained forensic interviewers who interview children who have been abused or witnessed abuse,” said Sen. Carney. “A video and audio recording of the full forensic interview is preserved. Although recordings are used in child protective proceedings, they are generally not admissible in court. With the Legislature’s support and the Governor’s signature, LD 765 changes that. Now we will hold abusers accountable while preventing additional harm to children and protected persons. I’m also grateful for the advocates at the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault, pediatricians, children’s advocacy center staff, forensic interviewers, law enforcement officials and attorneys who helped turn this bill into law.”

LD 756 was officially signed into law on June 16.

Gov. Mills (center front) holds a signing ceremony for LD 765, with advocates, Sen. Carney (third from right) and Sen. Pinny Beebe-Center (center back) looking on.

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