Authority: Title 9.1, Chapter 1, Articles 1 and 2, and §§ 9.1-117 and 9.1-122.

A.  Out of this appropriation, $1,600,000 the first year and $1,600,000 the second year from the general fund shall be used to fund operating costs of the Norfolk Public Health Building. Of this amount, $200,000 in the first year and $200,000 in the second year has been transferred from the Department of Health as its portion of the ongoing operating costs of this facility

B.1.  Included in this item is $1,000,000 in the second year from the general fund to address salary compression and starting salaries for forensic scientists at the Division of Forensic Science. The Director of the Division of Forensic Science and the Director of the Department of Human Resource Management shall prepare a plan for addressing salary compression and salaries of professional forensic scientists in order to retain and recruit forensic scientists.  By June 1, 2005, the Director of the Division of Forensic Sciences and the Director of the Department of Human Resource Management shall present a report to the Secretary of Public Safety, the Secretary of Administration, and the Governor.  Prior to implementation of the plan, the Secretary of Public Safety shall communicate the plan to the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees.

2.  The Director of the Department of Forensic Science, in conjunction with the Director of the Department of Human Resource Management, shall prepare a report that details the Department of Forensic Science's efforts to recruit forensic scientists to fill the positions authorized by the 2005 Session of the General Assembly.  The report shall address the fill rate for the positions authorized by the 2005 Session of the General Assembly and any issues, including pay factors, that limit the ability of the Department to recruit and retain highly qualified forensic scientists.  The Director of the Department of Forensic Science and the Director of the Department of Human Resource Management shall report their findings to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees by October 1, 2005.

C.1. Included in this appropriation is $900,000 the second year from the general fund for the Virginia Institute of Forensic Science and Medicine.  Prior to the release of these funds, the Governor shall approve a memorandum of understanding between the Division of Forensic Science and the appropriate state agencies and institutions, setting forth the terms and conditions for the operation of the institute.  Copies of this memorandum shall be provided to the Auditor of Public Accounts and the Chairmen of the Virginia State Crime Commission and the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees, prior to the release of these funds.

2. The Division of Forensic Science shall require the development and use of an employment contract to specify that student fellows receiving stipends pursuant to this item shall agree to work for the Division of Forensic Science for at least two years following the completion of their certification program.  The Division shall consult with the Office of the Attorney General in the development of this contract.

D. The Secretary of Public Safety shall prepare a report on the transition of the Division of Forensic Science into a new Department of Forensic Science, consistent with Senate Bill 1153 and House Bill 2216, as adopted by the 2005 General Assembly.  The report shall address the administrative requirements for the new agency, including a Memorandum of Understanding for the new department to contract with the Department of Criminal Justice Services for administrative support services for an interim period.  The report shall also include a Memorandum of Understanding to set forth the appropriate roles and responsibilities of the Virginia Institute of Forensic Science and Medicine and the relevant state agencies and institutions with which it cooperates.  Copies of this report shall be provided by May 1, 2005, to the Auditor of Public Accounts and the Chairmen of the Virginia State Crime Commission and the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees.