2025 -- S 0535
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LC001773
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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: 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 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; and a representative of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association 5
appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate; and two (2) public members 6
appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate: three (3) members with 7
expertise in law enforcement or criminal prosecution; three (3) members with expertise in criminal 8
defense; and three (3) members with expertise in scientific research. Appointed public members 9
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) Five (5) members of the board shall constitute a 13
quorum and 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. 18
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The dean of the College of Pharmacy chair of the Department of Physics at the University 1
of Rhode Island shall serve as the executive secretary of the commission. The executive secretary 2
shall oversee the administration of the state crime laboratory, including all budgetary and personnel 3
matters, and shall provide timely reports to the commission regarding all matters pertaining to the 4
state crime laboratory. 5
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 6
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LC001773
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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 1
from five (5) to nine (9), change the makeup of the commission to include individuals with expertise 2
in law enforcement, expertise in criminal defense, and expertise in scientific research. It would also 3
make the chair of the department of physics at the University of Rhode Island the executive 4
secretary. 5
This act would take effect upon passage. 6
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LC001773
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