Forensic Science, Department of; purchase of forensic laboratory services.

Permits the Department of Forensic Science (the Department) to purchase forensic laboratory services from laboratories located in the Commonwealth that are operated by an institution of higher education located in the Commonwealth or a corporate entity that is wholly owned by an institution of higher education located in the Commonwealth, where such institution meets certain requirements. The bill provides that no contract or agreement may be made with any other laboratory unless the Department requests, and the Department of General Services grants, an exemption in a case where such laboratory does not meet the reasonable requirements of the Department, cannot provide the forensic laboratory services required by the Department, or the Department can purchase forensic laboratory services from another source at a price that is at least 10 percent less or from a laboratory that has received a ranking that is at least 10 percent higher than the ranking of any laboratory of such institution of higher education. The bill also provides that any laboratory that has entered into a contract with the Department for the provision of forensic laboratory services shall be deemed authorized by the Department to conduct certain analyses and examinations of certain trial evidence. This bill is identical to