Bill Text: MS SB2111 | 2021 | Regular Session | Introduced

Mississippi Senate Bill 2111 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Rapid DNA Task Force; establish within the Department of Public Safety.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2021-02-02 - Died In Committee [SB2111 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2021-SB2111-Introduced.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2021 Regular Session

To: Judiciary, Division B

By: Senator(s) Wiggins

Senate Bill 2111

AN ACT TO CREATE A RAPID DNA TASK FORCE WITHIN THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL USE OF RAPID DNA TO QUICKLY IDENTIFY AND APPREHEND CRIMINAL OFFENDERS AND REDUCE CRIME; TO DIRECT THE TASK FORCE TO SUBMIT A PLAN TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR IMPLEMENTING RAPID DNA IN MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) There is created a Rapid DNA Task Force within the Mississippi Department of Public Safety to study the potential use of Rapid DNA to quickly identify and apprehend criminal offenders and reduce crime in the state.

(2) The task force shall make a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2021, that describes a plan for implementing Rapid DNA in Mississippi, including, but not limited to, needs for recommended legislation, administrative rules, training, funding and information technology infrastructure. PEER Committee staff shall, at the request of the task force, assist the task force in the preparation of the report described in this subsection.

(3) The task force shall be composed of nine (9) members, as follows:

(a) A representative of the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Investigation, designated by the director;

(b) A representative of the Department of Public Safety, Office of Forensic Laboratories, designated by the director;

(d) A representative of the Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police, designated by the association;

(e) A representative of the Mississippi Sheriffs' Association, designated by the association;

(f) A representative of the Mississippi Prosecutor's Association, designated by the association;

(g) A representative of the Mississippi Public Defenders Association, designated by the association;

(h) A member of the Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor; and

(i) A member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker.

(4) Legislative appointments shall be made within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this act. Within fifteen (15) days thereafter on a day to be designated jointly by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Lieutenant Governor, the task force shall meet and organize by selecting from its membership a chair and a vice chair. The vice chair shall also serve as secretary and shall be responsible for keeping all records of the task force. A majority of the members of the task force shall constitute a quorum. In the selection of its officers and the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports, an affirmative vote of a majority of the task force shall be required. All members shall be notified in writing of all meetings, and those notices shall be mailed at least fifteen (15) days before the date on which a meeting is to be held. The Department of Public Safety shall provide administrative and clerical assistance to the task force on the request of the chairman.

(5) The members of the task force who are not legislators shall be compensated at the per diem rate authorized by Section 25-3-69 and shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 25-3-41 for mileage and actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. No task force members may incur per diem, travel or other expense unless previously authorized by vote, at a meeting of the task force, which action shall be recorded in the official minutes of the meeting. The members shall be paid from any funds made available to the task force for that purpose.

(6) Upon the presentation of its report, the task force shall be dissolved.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021.