Committee on Homeland Security Justice and Public Safety

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The 36th Legislature’s Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety will meet on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Bill No. 36-0020 An Act amending title 2 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 1, section 6 allowing the Police Chief of the Legislature; the Sergeant-of-Arms; or any security officer of the Legislature; who has peace officer status, to arrest a person who neglects or refuses to appear before the Legislature in obedience to subpoena.
Bill No. 36-0027 An Act amending title 5 Virgin Islands Code, subtitle 3, part I, chapter 311 by enacting Jah’niqua’s Law requiring a defendant to pay restitution in the form of child maintenance if the victim of the offense was the parent or guardian of a minor child or dependent and if the defendant was convicted of negligent homicide by means of a motor vehicle, a violation of title 20 Virgin Islands Code, section 504, while under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs; or was convicted of driving under the influence of intoxicating liquors or controlled substances, a violation of title 20 Virgin Islands Code, section 493, which results in an accident that causes the victim to become disabled or totally and permanently disabled
Bill No. 36-0057 An Act amending title 5 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 314, section 3733, subsection (a) to require automatic expungement of the arrest record and complaint or information when the accused has been acquitted.
Bill No. 36-0024 An Act amending title 14 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 85 by adding section 1710 declaring a person incapable of consent to sexual relations while the person is in police custody.
Bill No. 36-0031 An Act amending title 23 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 10, subchapter IV, section 1073 to exempt a public safety agency or private safety entity from liability for acts of negligence in the operation, administration or maintenance of a 911 service unless the acts are committed in a grossly negligent manner or are committed with willful intent.

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The 36th Legislature’s Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety is meeting on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. in the Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.

BLOCK I 10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.

Bill No. 36-0144 – An act amending title 14 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 113 to define and prohibit assault
rifles, ban suppressors and silencers, and requiring safety training for licensed rifles and shotgun holders; prohibiting large-capacity magazines and preventing the illegal sales of firearms, firearm accessories and ammunition

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Police Department
Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., Attorney General of the Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands Department of Justice
Mr. Antonio Emanuel, Director, Office of Gun Violence Prevention, Office of the Governor

BLOCK II 11:15 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

Bill No. 36-0105 – An act amending title 7 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 13, subchapter III by prohibiting the
possession, sale, or manufacture of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, delta-6 THC, delta-8 THC and delta- 10 THC products in the Virgin Islands and for other related purposes

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Police Department
Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., Attorney General of the Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands Department of Justice
Honorable Justa Encarnacion, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Health
Honorable Louis E. Petersen, PhD, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture
Honorable H. Nathalie Hodge, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs
Ms. Joanne Moorehead, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Office of Cannabis Regulation
Ms. Riise Richards, Chair, Virgin Islands Industrial Hemp Commission, Deputy Commissioner, VI Department of Agriculture
Mr. Duane Howell, Executive Director, ARCH Institute

LUNCH BREAK 12:30 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.

BLOCK III 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.

Bill No. 36-0123 – An act amending title 20 Virgin Islands Code, part II, chapter 43, subchapter I, section 493
making it unlawful for a person who has 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his blood to operate a commercial motor vehicle, and making it unlawful for a person under the age of 21years who has any detectable amount of alcohol in his blood, to operate a motor vehicle

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario M. Brooks, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Police Department
Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., Virgin Islands Attorney General, Virgin Islands Department of Justice
Ms. Julie Smith Todman, Esq., Chief Public Defender, Virgin Islands Office of the Public Defender

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