Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety

The 36th Legislature’s Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety will meet on Thursday, April 3, 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. 36-0027 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

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Police Department
Honorable Gordon Rhea, V.I. Attorney General, Virgin Islands Department of Justice
Mr. Frank Harris, Director of Governmental Affairs, Mothers Against Drunk Driving

BLOCK II 11:10 A.M. – 12:10 P.M.

Bill No. 36-0036 An Act repealing and reenacting title 20 Virgin Islands Code, part II, chapter 43, section 512 increasing penalties for traffic violations; establishing a Virgin
Islands Police Department Impound Lot; and for other related purposes

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Police Department
Honorable Gordon Rhea, V.I. Attorney General, Virgin Islands Department of Justice

LUNCH BREAK 12:10 P.M. – 12:55 P.M.

BLOCK III 1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.

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

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Police Department
Honorable Gordon Rhea, V.I. Attorney General, Virgin Islands Department of Justice
Ms. Julie Smith Todman, Esq., Chief Public Defender, V.I. Office of the Public Defender
Ms. Anya Stuart, Executive Director, Family Resource Center, Inc.

BLOCK IV 2:10 P.M. – 3:10 P.M.

Bill No. 36-0005 An Act amending title 16 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 2, section 99 establishing a mandatory minimum bail amount in domestic violence cases

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Gordon Rhea, V.I. Attorney General, Virgin Islands Department of Justice
Ms. Anya Stuart, Executive Director, Family Resource Center, Inc.
Dr. Clema Lewis, Executive Director, Women’s Coalition of St. Croix