(a) The Director of the Division of Forensic Science shall appoint, with the approval of the Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, a Chief Medical Examiner, who shall be a board-certified pathologist, with preference given to applicants with training and experience in the field of forensic pathology. The Chief Medical Examiner shall serve at the pleasure of the Director of the Division of Forensic Science and shall be subject to removal with or without cause by the Director of the Division of Forensic Science or the Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. (b) The Director of the Division of Forensic Science may appoint, with the approval of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security Assistant Medical Examiners who shall be physicians with 2 years or more of training or experience in pathology, necessary numbers of Deputy Medical Examiners who shall be practicing physicians and a toxicologist who shall have a Ph.D. degree in toxicology or pharmacology or a master's degree in toxicology or pharmacology with a minimum of 3 years of experience in analytical toxicology, at such compensation as shall be determined by the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The Director of the Division of Forensic Science may also appoint, in accordance with the state merit system regulations, technical, clerical and other personnel, as may be necessary for proper administration of the Division. (c) The Director of the Division of Forensic Science may employ, with the approval of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, physicians on a contract basis for part-time services, as may be required. Except as otherwise provided, all professional, technical and clerical personnel appointed in accordance with this section are directly responsible to the Director of the Division of Forensic Science and are subject to removal by the Director of the Division of Forensic Science or the Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security for cause, in accordance with any state merit system regulations applicable to the position. (d) The Director of the Division of Forensic Science or his or her designee may conduct pre-employment drug testing of any contractor or prospective employee accepting a position with the Division, random drug testing of employees, and testing upon reasonable suspicion that an employee is impaired by an illegal drug. The timing, procedures, and specific controlled substances of any drug testing shall be conducted in accordance with policies or regulations adopted by the Division. The Division is further authorized to conduct preemployment criminal background checks of any contractor or prospective employee accepting a position with the Division, and such persons are subject to criminal background checks from time to time while working in or for the Division. (e) The Director of the Division of Forensic Science and Chief Medical Examiner shall be subject to the same Department of Safety and Homeland Security policies and procedures with respect to overtime, vacation and leave time, and compensatory time as other Department of Safety and Homeland Security division directors. The Director of the Division of Forensic Science, Chief Medical Examiner, Assistant Medical Examiners, Deputy Medical Examiners, forensic toxicologists, and forensic chemists shall not be permitted to maintain or engage in employment, or to work as an independent contractor, outside of the Division of Forensic Science without prior written approval of the Secretary. Such prior written approval must be issued for each employer or contract for private outside employment.
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