Department of Forensic Science (778)

Authority: §§ 9.1-1100 through 9.1-1113, Code of Virginia.

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 58.1-3403, Code of Virginia, the Department of Forensic Science shall be exempt from the payment of service charges levied in lieu of taxes by any county, city, or town.

B. The Forensic Science Board shall ensure that all individuals who were convicted due to criminal investigations, for which its case files for the years between 1973 and 1988 were found to contain evidence possibly suitable for DNA testing, are informed that such evidence exists and is available for testing. To effectuate this requirement, the Board shall prepare two form letters, one sent to each person whose evidence was tested, and one sent to each person whose evidence was not tested. Copies of each such letter shall be sent to the Chairman of the Forensic Science Board and to the respective Chairmen of the House and Senate Committees for Courts of Justice. The Department of Corrections shall assist the Board in effectuating this requirement by providing the addresses for all such persons to whom letters shall be sent, whether currently incarcerated, on probation, or on parole. In cases where the current address of the person cannot be ascertained, the Department of Corrections shall provide the last known address. The Chairman of the Forensic Science Board shall report on the progress of this notification process at each meeting of the Forensic Science Board.

C. In implementing the additional reductions contained in this item, the Department of Forensic Science shall develop a plan, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Public Safety, to reduce administrative expenses, which may include two management level positions so as to increase management span of control, and other expenses as necessary.  Copies of this plan shall be provided to the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees by July 15, 2010.