HI HR81

Requests the Department of the Attorney General to establish a working group to study forensic laboratories in Hawaii, with the only full-service forensic laboratory currently operated by the Honolulu Police Department's Scientific Investigation Section.

Working group shall include representatives from the FBI, Department of Public Safety, Judiciary, county police departments, county prosecutors, Public Defender, criminal defense attorneys, Hawaii State Bar Association, ACLU, state legislators, Department of Transportation, and a forensic science professor from Chaminade University.

Directs the working group to study capabilities, staffing levels, case loads, task completion times, and accreditation requirements of forensic laboratories in the State.

Requires analysis of annual forensic tests conducted, sources of testing requests, state agency requests, methods and frequency of sending evidence to other states, and associated costs including expert witness travel expenses.

Mandates the working group submit a report with findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2018 regular session convenes.