Sen. Duson receives Legislative Award from the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault
AUGUSTA — On Thursday, April 17, 2025, Senate Assistant Majority Leader Jill C. Duson, D-Portland, received the 2025 Legislative Award for her leadership on behalf of survivors of sexual assault and survivor advocates. The award was presented to Sen. Duson by the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MECASA) at the Fireside Lounge at the University of Maine at Augusta.
“When unthinkable acts of sexual violence occur, Maine people deserve compassionate and survivor-centered care and resources in response,” said Sen. Duson. “I am humbled by this award and am reminded of the power of collaboration. I am proud to have sponsored key pieces of legislation throughout my time in the Senate to further the resources and care survivors receive and deserve in a time of crisis.”
In the 131st Legislature, Sen. Duson sponsored LD 566, “An Act to Provide Funding for Sexual Assault Services,” sponsored by a bipartisan group of legislators and aimed at boosting the salaries of sexual assault survivor advocates. This bill received unanimous support in both the Senate and House before being pocket vetoed by Gov. Janet Mills upon adjournment.
This session, Sen. Duson is sponsoring two bills to support survivors of sexual assault and their advocates. LD 117, nearly identical to the unanimously supported LD 566, would provide $1.23 million in the 2025/2026 biennium and $1.83 million in the 2026/2027 biennium to the Department of Health and Human Services to provide funding for sexual assault survivor advocates.
Sen. Duson is also sponsoring a bill to establish a statewide registry of sexual assault forensic examination kits and conducting an inventory of kits in possession of Maine law enforcement. The system must be accessible to approved users, and the department must submit regular reports on kit statuses and a statewide inventory of kits by early 2027. Additionally, the bill aligns storage requirements across state laws by mandating that law enforcement agencies preserve these kits for 20 years. This bill will be printed and introduced in the coming weeks.
Sen. Jill Duson, D-Portland, delivers briefs remarks after receiving the 2025 MECASA Legislative Award.
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