995-A - Commission on forensic science.
§ 995-a. Commission on forensic science. 1. There is hereby created in the executive department, the commission on forensic science, which shall consist of the following fourteen members: (a) the commissioner of the division of criminal justice services who shall be chair of the commission and the commissioner of the department of health or his or her designee, who shall serve as an ex-officio member of the commission; (b) twelve members appointed by the governor. 2. Of the members appointed by the governor, (a) one member shall be the chair of the New York state crime laboratory advisory committee; (b) one member shall be the director of a forensic laboratory located in New York state; (c) one member shall be the director of the office of forensic services within the division of criminal justice services; (d) two members shall be a scientist having experience in the areas of laboratory standards or quality assurance regulation and monitoring and shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the commissioner of health; (e) one member shall be a representative of a law enforcement agency and shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the commissioner of criminal justice services; (f) one member shall be a representative of prosecution services who shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the commissioner of criminal justice services; (g) one member shall be a representative of the public criminal defense bar who shall be appointed upon the recommendation of an organization representing public defense services; (h) one member shall be a representative of the private criminal defense bar who shall be appointed upon the recommendation of an organization of such bar; (i) two members shall be members-at-large, one of whom shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the temporary president of the senate, and one of whom shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the speaker of the assembly; and (j) one member, who shall be an attorney or judge with a background in privacy issues and biomedical ethics, shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the chief judge of the court of appeals. 3. Of the members appointed by the governor, each member shall be appointed to serve a three year term. Any member appointed by the governor may be reappointed for additional three year terms. 4. Any member chosen to fill a vacancy created otherwise than by expiration of term shall be appointed by the governor for the unexpired term of the member he or she is to succeed. Any such vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. 5. The commission shall meet at least four times each year and may establish its own rules and procedures concerning the conduct of its meetings and other affairs not inconsistent with law. 6. No member of the commission on forensic science shall be disqualified from holding any public office or employment, nor shall he or she forfeit any such office or employment, by reason of his or her appointment hereunder, and members of the commission shall not be required to take and file oaths of office before serving on the commission. 7. Members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their functions hereunder.