Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety

The 36th Legislature’s Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety will meet on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 9:30 A.M. in the Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands to consider the following official agenda.

BLOCK I

Bill No. 36-0346            An act amending title 19 Virgin Islands Code creating the Emergency                                                          Medical Services System

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Justa Encarnacion, Commissioner, VI Department of Health
Antonio Stevens, Director, VI Fire and Emergency Medical Services

BLOCK II

Bill No. 36-0091           An act repealing and re-enacting title 3 Virgin Islands Code chapter 25, section                                           570a, establishing a recruitment and retention program for police officers,                                                   correction officers, and registered nurses within the Division of Personnel.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, VI Police Department
Ms. Cindy Richardson, Director, VI Division of Personnel
Ms. Tanicia Penn, Chair, VI Board of Nurse Licensure
Dr. Jerry R. Smith, Territorial Board Chair, VI Government Hospitals and Health Facilities Corporation

Bill No. 36-0318             An act amending title 23 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 13 establishing a Police                                            Reserve Unit within the Virgin Islands Police Department.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, VI Police Department
Mr. Gleston E. McIntosh, Jr., Executive Director, VI Police Officer Standards and Training

BLOCK III

Bill No. 36-0338             An act amending title 5 Virgin Islands Code, section 31 (a) by changing the
commencement of actions for personal bodily injury.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Gorden Rhea, Esq., Attorney General of the Virgin Islands
Ms. Hinda Cardon, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Bar Association
Mr. J. Russell B. Pate, Esq., The Pate Law Firm
Ms. Rhea Lawrence, Esq., Lee J. Rohn and Associates, LLC
Mr. Kareem Todman, Esq., Todman Law

Bill No. 36-0193             An act amending titles 14 and 23 Virgin Islands Code regarding mandatory                                                 minimum sentences for certain weapons-related crimes and to allow for                                                       discretion in sentencing for first-degree murder convictions, and for other                                                     related purposes

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Gorden Rhea, Esq., Attorney General of the Virgin Islands
Ms. Hinda Cardon, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Bar Association