Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 114 Part 5.djvu/773

 PUBLIC LAW 106-561—DEC. 21, 2000 114 STAT. 2787 Public Law 106-561 106th Congress An Act Dec. 21, 2000 [S. 3045] Paul Coverdell National Forensic Sciences Improvement Act 42 USd 3711 note. To improve the qiiality, timeliness, and credibility of forensic science services for criminal justice purposes, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the 'Taul Coverdell National Forensic Sciences Improvement Act of 2000". SEC. 2. IMPROVING THE QUALITY, TIMELINESS, AND CREDIBILITY OF FORENSIC SCIENCE SERVICES FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PUR- POSES. (a) DESCRIPTION OF DRUG CONTROL AND SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM.— Section 501(b) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 375(b)) is 42 USC 3751. amended— (1) in paragraph (25), by striking "and" at the end; (2) in paragraph (26), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and (3) by adding at the end the following: "(27) improving the qugility, timeliness, and credibility of forensic science services for criminal justice purposes.". (b) STATE APPLICATIONS.— Section 503(a) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3753(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: "(13) If any part of the amount received from a grant under r this part is to be used to improve the quality, timeliness, and credibility of forensic science services for criminal justice purposes, a certification that, as of the date of enactment of this paragraph, the State, or unit of local government within the State, has an established— "(A) forensic science laboratory or forensic science laboratory system, that— "(i) employs 1 or more full-time scientists— "(I) whose principal duties are the examination of physical evidence for law enforcement agencies in criminal matters; and "(II) who provide testimony with respect to such physical evidence to the criminal justice system; "(ii) employs generally accepted practices and procedures, as established by appropriate accrediting organizations; and

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