2025 -- S 0535

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LC001773

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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: Senators Bell, Mack, Kallman, Euer, Quezada, Valverde, and Acosta

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2025

     Referred To: Senate 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; 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: three (3) members with

expertise in law enforcement or criminal prosecution; three (3) members with expertise in criminal

defense; and three (3) members with expertise in scientific research. 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) Five (5) 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.

     The dean of the College of Pharmacy chair of the Department of Physics at the University

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

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 number of members of the state crime laboratory commission

from five (5) to nine (9), change the makeup of the commission to include individuals with expertise

in law enforcement, expertise in criminal defense, and expertise in scientific research. It would also

make the chair of the department of physics at the University of Rhode Island the executive

secretary.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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