(a)
The Department of Justice shall establish and chair a task force to conduct a review of California’s crime laboratory system.
(b)
The task force shall be known as the “Crime Laboratory Review Task Force.” The composition of the task force shall, except as specified in paragraph (16), be comprised of one representative of each of the following entities:
(1)
The Department of Justice.
(2)
The California Association of Crime Laboratory Directors.
(3)
The California Association of Criminalists.
(4)
The International Association for Identification.
(5)
The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors.
(6)
The Department of the California Highway Patrol.
(7)
The California State Sheriffs’ Association, from a department with a crime laboratory.
(8)
The California District Attorneys Association, from an office with a crime laboratory.
(9)
The California Police Chiefs Association, from a department with a crime laboratory.
(10)
The California Peace Officers’ Association.
(11)
The California Public Defenders Association.
(12)
A private criminal defense attorney organization.
(13)
The Judicial Council, to be appointed by the Chief Justice.
(14)
The Office of the Speaker of the Assembly.
(15)
The Office of the President pro Tempore of the Senate.
(16)
Two representatives to be appointed by the Governor.
(c)
The task force shall review and make recommendations as to how best to configure, fund, and improve the delivery of state and local crime laboratory services in the future. To the extent feasible, the review and recommendations shall include, but are not limited to, addressing the following issues:
(1)
With respect to organization and management of crime laboratory services, consideration of the following:
(A)
If the existing mix of state and local crime laboratories is the most effective and efficient means to meet California’s future needs.
(B)
Whether laboratories should be further consolidated. If consolidation occurs, who should have oversight of crime laboratories.
(C)
If management responsibilities for some laboratories should be transferred.
(D)
Whether all laboratories should provide similar services.
(E)
How other states have addressed similar issues.
(2)
With respect to staff and training, consideration of the following:
(A)
How to address recruiting and retention problems of laboratory staff.
(B)
Whether educational and training opportunities are adequate to supply the needs of fully trained forensic criminalists in the future.
(C)
Whether continuing education is available to ensure that forensic science personnel are up-to-date in their fields of expertise.
(D)
If crime laboratory personnel should be certified, and, if so, the appropriate agency to assume this responsibility.
(E)
The future educational role, if any, for the University of California or the California State University.
(3)
With respect to funding, consideration of the following:
(A)
Whether the current method of funding laboratories is predictable, stable, and adequate to meet future growth demands and to provide accurate and timely testing results.
(B)
The adequacy of salary structures to attract and retain competent analysts and examiners.
(4)
With respect to performance standards and equipment, consideration of the following:
(A)
Whether workload demands are being prioritized properly and whether there are important workload issues not being addressed.
(B)
If existing laboratories have the necessary capabilities, staffing, and equipment.
(C)
If statewide standards should be developed for the accreditation of forensic laboratories, including minimum staffing levels, and if so, a determination regarding what entity should serve as the sanctioning body.
(d)
The task force also shall seek input from specialized law enforcement disciplines, other state and local agencies, relevant advocacy groups, and the public. The final report also shall include a complete inventory of existing California crime laboratories. This inventory shall contain sufficient details on staffing, workload, budget, major instrumentation, and organizational placement within the controlling agency.
(e)
The first meeting of the task force shall occur no later than December 9, 2007.
(f)
On or before July 1, 2009, the task force shall submit a final report of its findings to the Department of Finance and to the budget and public safety committees of both houses of the Legislature.
