§ 12-1.1-8. Powers and duties of commission.
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.