Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

Rhode Island House Bill H5664 Latest Draft

Bill / Introduced Version Filed 02/26/2025

                             
 
 
 
2025 -- H 5664 
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LC001673 
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D 
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 1 
"State Crime Laboratory Commission" are hereby amended to read as follows: 2 
12-1.1-4. Membership. 3 
(a) The commission shall consist of five (5) nine (9) members: the attorney general; the 4 
superintendent of state police; the chief justice of the Rhode Island supreme court; the president of 5 
the Rhode Island Bar Association; the public defender; the president of the Rhode Island 6 
Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; and a representative of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs 7 
Association appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate; and two (2) public 8 
members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Appointed public 9 
members shall serve two (2) year terms and shall be eligible to succeed themselves. 10 
(b) Members shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. Each member 11 
of the board may designate a subordinate within his or her department or agency to represent him 12 
or her at all meetings of the board. Three (3) members of the board shall constitute a quorum and 13 
the vote of a majority of those present and voting shall be required for action. 14 
(c) Members of the commission shall be removable by the governor pursuant to the 15 
provisions of ยง 36-1-7 of the general laws and for cause only, and removal solely for partisan or 16 
personal reasons unrelated to capacity or fitness for the office shall be unlawful. 17 
12-1.1-6. Executive secretary Co-executive secretaries. 18   
 
 
LC001673 - Page 2 of 3 
The dean deans of the College Colleges of Pharmacy and Engineering at the University of 1 
Rhode Island shall serve as the executive secretary co-executive secretaries of the commission. The 2 
executive secretary and shall oversee the administration of the state crime laboratory, including all 3 
budgetary and personnel matters, and shall provide timely reports to the commission regarding all 4 
matters pertaining to the state crime laboratory. 5 
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 6 
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LC001673 
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LC001673 - Page 3 of 3 
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 1 
five (5) to nine (9). It adds the chief justice of the Rhode Island supreme court, the presidents of 2 
the state bar association and the Rhode Island criminal defense association and the public defender. 3 
The act would also add the dean of the college of engineering as a co-executive secretary of the 4 
commission. 5 
This act would take effect upon passage. 6 
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LC001673 
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