HI SCR94

Requests the Department of the Attorney General to establish a working group to study forensic laboratories in Hawaii, with the Honolulu Police Department operating the only full-service forensic laboratory in the state.

Working group membership includes representatives from the FBI, Department of Public Safety, Judiciary, county police departments, county prosecutors, Public Defender's office, private criminal defense bar, Hawaii State Bar Association, ACLU, legislative chairs of public safety committees, and a Chaminade University forensic science professor.

Directs the working group to study capabilities, staffing levels, caseloads, task completion times, and accreditation requirements of state forensic laboratories.

Requires the working group to analyze forensic testing volumes, sources of testing requests, costs for out-of-state testing, expert witness travel expenses, DNA testing funding sources, and funding sources for forensic laboratory equipment and operations.

Requires an interim report by twenty days before the 2018 Regular Session and a final report by twenty days before the 2019 Regular Session, including findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation.