Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety

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.

 BLOCK I                                                                                                                                 10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.

 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.

 Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Police Department
Mr. Terrence D. Manning, Capitol Police Chief, Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands

BLOCK II                                                                                                        11:15 A.M. – 12:30 P.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

LUNCH                                                                                                                                      12:30 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.

BLOCK III                                                                                                                                   1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.

 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.

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, Virgin Islands Office of the Public Defender

 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, Virgin Islands Office of the Public Defender
Ms. Anya Stuart, Executive Director, Family Resource Center, Inc.

BLOCK IV                                                                                                                                   3:15 P.M. – 4:15 P.M.

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.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Gordon Rhea, V.I. Attorney General, Virgin Islands Department of Justice
Mr. Daryl Jaschen, Director, V.I. Territorial Management Agency