S. 9672 Summary

• Creates an independent Commission on Forensic Science with nine members including outside forensic experts, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and university faculty specializing in technology, statistics, ethics, racial justice, and cognitive bias.

• Establishes three permanent advisory committees: a scientific advisory committee to review laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing, a social justice and equity assessment committee to evaluate bias and disparities in forensic methods, and a forensic analyst license advisory committee to oversee licensing requirements.

• Requires forensic analysts to obtain licenses from the commission and establishes disciplinary procedures for professional negligence or misconduct, with hearing panels, investigations, and public reporting of violations and proficiency test results.

• Expands the commission's jurisdiction beyond DNA testing to all forensic science methods and technologies, including requirements for validation, bias assessment, racial equity impact analysis, and public disclosure of methodologies and non-conformity reports.

• Requires forensic laboratories to publish testing methods and protocols, disclose bench notes and discordant results in reports, and maintain transparency through annual inspections, proficiency testing, and public access to records.