Sec. 303. Standards for certification
552 words·~3 min read·
/bill/113/s/2177/is/section-303A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Not later than 2 years after the date on which all members of a Committee have been appointed, the Committee shall make recommendations to the Board relating to standards for the certification of relevant personnel in each forensic science discipline addressed by the Committee. In developing recommended standards under paragraph (1), a Committee shall— consult with qualified professional organizations, including qualified professional organizations that accredit forensic science certification programs; consider relevant certification standards and best practices developed by qualified professional or scientific organizations; consider whether successful completion of a certification program accredited by a qualified professional organization would be sufficient to meet the certification requirements for relevant personnel under this Act; consider whether and under what circumstances internal certification programs by accredited laboratories would be sufficient to meet the certification requirements for relevant personnel under this Act; consider any standards or best practices established under title V; and consider— whether certain minimum standards should be established for the education and training of relevant personnel; whether there should be an alternative process to enable relevant personnel who were hired before the date established under section 304(c)(1), to obtain certifications, including— testing that demonstrates proficiency in a specific forensic science discipline that is equal to or greater than the level of proficiency required by the standards for certification; and a waiver of certain educational and training requirements; whether and under what conditions relevant personnel should be allowed to perform an activity described in subparagraph
(A)or
(B)of section 301(b)(1) for a forensic science laboratory or covered entity while the individual obtains the training and education required for certification under the standards developed under this title; and whether certification by recognized and relevant medical boards, or other recognized and relevant State professional boards, should be sufficient for relevant personnel to meet the standards developed under this title. The Board shall approve or deny any recommendation submitted by a Committee under subsection
(a)in accordance with section 103(f)(2). After the Director receives recommendations from the Board under subsection (b), the Director shall, in accordance with section 101(f)(3), establish standards for the certification of relevant personnel. Not less frequently than once every 5 years, a Committee shall— review the standards for certification established under subsection
(c)for each forensic science discipline within the responsibility of the Committee; and submit to the Board recommendations regarding updates, if any, to the standards for certification as necessary— to account for developments in relevant scientific research, technological advances, or changes in the law; and to ensure adherence to the standards and best practices established under title V. Not later than 180 days after the date on which a Committee submits recommendations under paragraph (1)(B), the Board shall, in accordance with section 103(f)(2)— consider the recommendations; and submit to the Director recommendations of standards and best practices for each forensic science discipline. After the Director receives recommendations from the Board under paragraph (2), the Director shall, in accordance with section 101(f)(3), update the standards for certification of relevant personnel. The Director, in consultation with the Board, shall establish procedures to ensure that the process for establishing, reviewing, and updating standards for certification of relevant personnel under this section— is open and transparent to the public; and includes an opportunity for the public to comment on proposed standards with sufficient prior notice.