The commission shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) Establish goals, priorities, standards, policies, plans, programs, and budgets for the operation of the state crime laboratory;
(2) Monitor the general operation of the state crime laboratory and evaluate its effectiveness;
(3) Apply for, contract for, receive, and expend for its purposes any appropriations or grants from the state and/or its political subdivisions, the federal government, or any other source, public or private, in accordance with the appropriations process;
(4) (i) Accept funds appropriated by the general assembly out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated for effectuating the daily operation of the state crime laboratory;
(ii) Accept any moneys made available through direct grants for its function and operation;
(iii) Expend these sums of money for the purchase of equipment, payment of salaries, purchase of material, office supplies, and laboratory supplies, and for labor for publishing, for the benefit of law enforcement officers in the state of Rhode Island, for scientific advances in the field of criminalistics, and any other essentials that may be deemed necessary and expedient to the scientific criminal investigation and training of law enforcement officers and firefighters in modern scientific investigative techniques and research in the field of scientific criminal investigation;
(5) Recommend legislation to the governor and legislature in the field of scientific criminal investigation;
(6) Provide suitable badges and appropriate commissions to laboratory personnel in evidence of their authority;
(7) Establish any and all committees it deems necessary to carry out the mission of the state crime laboratory;
(8) Perform any other duties that may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter and chapter 1.2.
(9) Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, the commission shall approve and submit an annual report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, and the secretary of state, of its activities during that fiscal year. The report shall provide: an operating statement summarizing meetings or hearings held, including meeting minutes, subjects addressed, decisions rendered, rules or regulations promulgated, studies conducted, policies and plans developed, approved, or modified, and programs administered or initiated; a consolidated financial statement of all funds received and expended including the source of the funds, a listing of any staff supported by these funds, and a summary of any clerical, administrative or technical support received; a summary of performance during the previous fiscal year including accomplishments, shortcomings and remedies; a synopsis of hearings, complaints, suspensions, or other legal matters related to the commission; a summary of any training courses held pursuant to this chapter; a briefing on anticipated activities in the upcoming fiscal year; and findings and recommendations for improvements. The report shall be posted electronically on the websites of the general assembly and the secretary of state pursuant to the provisions of § 42-20-8.2. The director of the department of administration shall be responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this subsection;
(10) To approve or disapprove the director and all other positions of the state crime laboratory appointed by the University of Rhode Island.
(11) To conduct a training course for newly appointed and qualified members within six (6) months of their qualification or designation. The course shall be developed by the chair of the commission, be approved by the commission, and be conducted by the chair of the commission. The commission may approve the use of any commission and/or staff members and/or individuals to assist with training. The training course shall include instruction in the following areas: the provisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14 and 38-2; and the commission's rules and regulations. The director of the department of administration shall, within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this act [June 7, 2006], prepare and disseminate training materials relating to the provisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14, and 38-2.
History of Section.
P.L. 1978, ch. 206, § 2: G.L. §§ 12-1.2-4, 12-1.2-5, 12-1.2-7, 12-1.2-8; P.L. 1981, ch. 300, § 1: G.L. § 12-1.1-8; P.L. 1994, ch. 50, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 54, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 70, § 1.