Rhode Island Bill Expands State Crime Laboratory Commission to Nine Members and Alters Expertise Requirements

Original title: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- STATE CRIME LABORATORY COMMISSION (Increases number of members of state crime laboratory commission to 9, changes makeup of commission to include individuals with expertise in law enforcement, criminal defense, scientific research, makes chair of department of physics executive secretary.)

Last action · May 12, 2026: Committee recommended measure be held for further studySponsors: Sam Bell and 9 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

Rhode Island legislation expands the to nine members, adds requirements for expertise in law enforcement, criminal defense, and scientific research, and designates the chair of the department of physics as executive secretary.

Why it matters

Alters the governing structure and professional composition of the state oversight body responsible for forensic science facilities.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

State Crime Laboratory Commission

Its total membership size, required professional makeup, and administrative officer role are modified.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who serves as the executive secretary of the commission under the new provisions?

The chair of the department of physics serves as the executive secretary.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in Senate committee.

Procedural history

5 actions

May 12, 2026
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
May 8, 2026
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/12/2026)
Mar 30, 2026
Committee postponed at request of sponsor (04/02/2026)
Mar 27, 2026
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
Jan 23, 2026Introduced
Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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