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2005 SESSION

053634127
SENATE BILL NO. 1171
Offered January 12, 2005
Prefiled January 12, 2005
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 1 of Title 9.1, a section numbered 9.1-125.1, relating to the creation of the Forensic Science Advisory Board.
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Patron-- Stolle
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Referred to Committee on General Laws
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 1 of Title 9.1, a section numbered 9.1-125.1 as follows:

§ 9.1-125.1. Forensic Science Advisory Board; membership, terms; quorum; compensation and expenses.

A. The Forensic Science Advisory Board (the Advisory Board) is established as an advisory board within the executive branch of state government. The Advisory Board shall have the responsibility for advising and assisting the Department, the Criminal Justice Services Board, and the Division of Forensic Science (the Division) on matters related to the policies, procedures, and administration of the Division's laboratories, including forensic laboratory services research, and scientific investigations. The Advisory Board shall consist of 13 members appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the General Assembly as follows: one representative each of the Virginia State Sheriff's Association, Virginia Chiefs of Police, Commonwealth's Attorney's Association, Virginia State Police, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Department of Corrections, Office of the Attorney General, Office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Office of the United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, and Virginia Forensic Science Academy Alumni Association; and a forensic chemist/toxicologist, a forensic molecular biologist, and a forensic scientist with expertise in latent fingerprints, firearms, or questioned documents, all of whom shall be nationally recognized and actively engaged in research, teaching, or the application of the forensic sciences.

B. Members shall be appointed for a term of four years. No member shall serve however, beyond the time when he holds the office or employment for which he was initially eligible for appointment. Members shall not be eligible to serve for more than two consecutive full terms. Three or more years served within a four-year period shall be deemed a full term. Any vacancy on the Advisory Board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment but for the unexpired term.

C. The Advisory Board shall elect its chairman and vice-chairman from among its members.

D. The majority of the members of the Advisory Board shall constitute a quorum. The Advisory Board shall hold no less than two regular meetings a year. Subject to the requirements of this subsection, the chairman shall fix the times and places of meetings either on his own motion or upon written request of any five members of the Advisory Board.

E. The Advisory Board may adopt bylaws for its operation.

F. Members of the Advisory Board shall not receive compensation but shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825.

G. The Department of Criminal Justice Services shall provide staff support to the Advisory Board. Upon request, each administrative entity or collegial body within the executive branch of the state government shall cooperate with the Advisory Board as it carries out its responsibilities.