Bill Text: NJ S3514 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes NJ Forensic Science Laboratory at Rutgers University-Camden; appropriates up to $500,000.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-01-26 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee [S3514 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-S3514-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator NILSA I. CRUZ-PEREZ
District 5 (Camden and Gloucester)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes NJ Forensic Science Laboratory at Rutgers University-Camden; appropriates up to $500,000.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning a State forensic science laboratory and supplementing Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. There is established the New Jersey Forensic Science Laboratory, hereinafter referred to as the laboratory, at Rutgers University-Camden.
b. The purpose of the laboratory shall be to provide shared, streamlined services to address the crime investigation needs of the southern region of the State. The laboratory shall provide real-time testing in the areas of fingerprinting, firearms identification, forensic toxicology and chemistry, trace evidence, DNA identification, and forensic anthropology.
c. The laboratory shall collaborate with external partners to conduct research, develop public policy, and provide educational opportunities for students.
d. Within two years after the effective date of this section, the laboratory shall provide a report to the Governor and the Legislature, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), summarizing its research and activities and identifying priorities for the next five years, including any additional resource needs.
2. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the New Jersey Forensic Science Laboratory at Rutgers University-Camden. an amount not to exceed $500,000 to reimburse the laboratory for costs incurred based on receipts submitted by the laboratory to the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting for the purposes provided in section 1 of this act.
3. This act shall take effect on the first day of fourth month next following the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill establishes the New Jersey Forensic Science Laboratory, at Rutgers University-Camden.
Under the bill, the purpose of the laboratory would be to provide shared, streamlined services to address the crime investigation needs of the southern region of the State. The laboratory would provide real-time testing in the areas of fingerprinting, firearms identification, forensic toxicology and chemistry, trace evidence, DNA identification, and forensic anthropology.
The bill provides that the laboratory would collaborate with external partners to conduct research, develop public policy, and provide educational opportunities for students.
Under the bill, the laboratory would be required to provide a report to the Governor and Legislature within two years summarizing its research and activities and identifying priorities for the next five years, including any additional resource needs.
The bill appropriates up to $500,000 for costs incurred by the laboratory to effectuate the purposes of the bill.
