2025 -- H 5664

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LC001673

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

     RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- STATE CRIME LABORATORY

COMMISSION

     Introduced By: Representatives Place, Santucci, Quattrocchi, Hopkins, J. Brien, J.
Lombardi, Felix, Nardone, Cruz, and Ajello

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2025

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 12-1.1-4 and 12-1.1-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 12-1.1 entitled

"State Crime Laboratory Commission" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     12-1.1-4. Membership.

     (a) The commission shall consist of five (5) nine (9) members: the attorney general; the

superintendent of state police; the chief justice of the Rhode Island supreme court; the president of

the Rhode Island Bar Association; the public defender; the president of the Rhode Island

Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; and a representative of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs

Association appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate; and two (2) public

members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Appointed public

members shall serve two (2) year terms and shall be eligible to succeed themselves.

     (b) Members shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. Each member

of the board may designate a subordinate within his or her department or agency to represent him

or her at all meetings of the board. Three (3) members of the board shall constitute a quorum and

the vote of a majority of those present and voting shall be required for action.

     (c) Members of the commission shall be removable by the governor pursuant to the

provisions of § 36-1-7 of the general laws and for cause only, and removal solely for partisan or

personal reasons unrelated to capacity or fitness for the office shall be unlawful.

     12-1.1-6. Executive secretary Co-executive secretaries.

     The dean deans of the College Colleges of Pharmacy and Engineering at the University of

Rhode Island shall serve as the executive secretary co-executive secretaries of the commission. The

executive secretary and shall oversee the administration of the state crime laboratory, including all

budgetary and personnel matters, and shall provide timely reports to the commission regarding all

matters pertaining to the state crime laboratory.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

     RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- STATE CRIME LABORATORY

COMMISSION

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     This act would increase the membership of the state crime laboratory commission from

five (5) to nine (9). It adds the chief justice of the Rhode Island supreme court, the presidents of

the state bar association and the Rhode Island criminal defense association and the public defender.

The act would also add the dean of the college of engineering as a co-executive secretary of the

commission.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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