Committee on Health, Hospitals & Human Services

The Committee on Health, Hospitals & Human Services has scheduled a hearing receive testimony on :

BLOCK I                                                                                                         10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

Bill No. 34-0244      An Act amending title 27 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 4, section 191(a) and (d) to expand and clarify the definition of naturopathic medicine and the physical   modalities used in the practice of naturopathy

Invited Testifiers:

Aziyza Shabazz, President, Esthetician/Physical Trainer, Aziyza Nature’s Spa

Dr. Loriann Laugle, Studio 360 Chiropractic Wellness & Functional Movement Center

Shannon Braden, Executive Director, North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE)

The committee will receive an update on matters related to the nursing practices in the Virgin Islands including compensation, working conditions expired contracts, and the credentialing of traveling nurses.

Invited Testifiers:

Jacqueline Canton, Registered Nurses Leadership Union, Executive Chair/Chief Negotiator

Carmen Vanterpool-Romney, Executive Director, VI Board of Nurse Licensure

LUNCH                                                                                                           1:00 P.M. – 1:30 P.M.

 BLOCK II                                                                                                        1:30 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.

Bill No. 34-0279        An Act amending 19 Virgin Islands Code, Part V restructuring, reclassifying and adopting the first comprehensive Virgin Islands Behavioral Health Act to provide    for services and interdepartmental coordination of agencies and organizations to provide a structure of support to individuals throughout the Virgin Islands who suffer from behavioral health challenges; to establish community behavioral   health services, as well as to provide for the first comprehensive public Behavioral Health Facility to treat individuals voluntarily and involuntarily who face behavioral health challenges, amending and repealing conflicting laws; and providing for other related purposes

Invited Testifiers:

The Honorable Justa E. Encarnacion, Commissioner, VI Department of Health

The Honorable Denise N. George, Esq., Attorney General of the US Virgin Islands

The Honorable Ray A. Martinez, Commissioner, VI Police Department

Sheryl Pogson, NAMI/AARP

Lori Thompson,   PhD, Psychologist, Insight

Tina Comissiong, Esq., Chief Executive Officer, Schneider Regional Medical Center

Christopher E. Finch, Chairman, Virgin Islands Government Health and Hospital Corporation

 Wynnie Testamark, Director, VI Bureau of Corrections

Samuel Joseph, Esq., Chief Public Defender, Office of the Territorial Public Defender

Alisha Udhwani, Esq., President, VI Bar Association