[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6546784,"mediaKeyId","3516045-290cbf07ad3f288e0a8ffbac768c96f4","parentId",3516045,"title","Senate committee backs overhaul of social work licensure, forwards bills to rules committee","audioSeconds",9993,"startMs",1737000,"endMs",11730000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3516045-290cbf07ad3f288e0a8ffbac768c96f4&start=1737&end=11730","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3516045-290cbf07ad3f288e0a8ffbac768c96f4/thumbnail_1737000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6546784/Senate-committee-backs-overhaul-of-social-work-licensure-forwards-bills-to-rules-committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546784-0ae9039777586aeba2e040f469cafe90/orig.mp4?Expires=1770487453&Signature=GPr-Rc2-noeW6l~b23PW~SCm1299RbI9fIY7Gaej~W2~KTnp9Dq4Hq8305VDZ3N4n64gz2NZTP5kmaJ3MyVOweTiKy~7YHDy3USz9dpzFLGJwo7FrnmGoA1Z6hcTL4E~Gu7QWjRXh3841NaZ4OcJTEOVhzJS64rV6bnRGRvxmSikaMhRjHaUy10YImq96yuJ6Vr8sRIuhYFW96BxTucaGmTtBPbIih~6RZIzn~alskNC5rcm~~8J9H76Jm0X6EgBecvnjt93d6k2iMcjQIeYPTItO7VImyNwxZ2hIzdog-lriUI~d2y0kuV6bZ-Bg9AZLAer7wHC-JNbdQUaWIXqWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Virgin Islands Legislature","date","2025-05-27T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Committee on Health, Hospitals and Human Services voted to forward two companion bills—36‑0050 (repeal and reenact Title 27, Chapter 20) and 36‑0051 (establishing the Virgin Islands Board of Social Work Licensure)—to the Rules and Judiciary Committee after testimony from the bill sponsor, territorial regulators, the University of the Virgin Islands and the Association of Social Work Boards.

The bills update licensure categories and practice definitions that the witnesses said have not been modernized since the 1980s. \"The Department of Human Services supports the intention behind this legislation and acknowledges the importance of revising and reenacting Chapter 20 of Title 27 of the Virgin Islands Code to better align our social work licensure laws with current standards of practice,\" said Avril George, Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services.

Committee chair Senator Ray Fonseca opened the block with readings of the three bills. Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr., sponsor of the social work measures, told the committee the goal is to align territory law with contemporary practice and create a clear pathway to licensure for University of the Virgin Islands graduates. \"This bill recognizes the industry's shifts that have taken place since 1983 and creates a regulatory landscape that not only supports the industry's growth, but aligns with educational standards and best practices,\" Francis said.

Supporters included Yvonne I. Woods, PhD, Program Director and assistant professor of social work at the University of the Virgin Islands, and Kara Sanne from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). ASWB told the committee the bills would align the territory with the majority of U.S. jurisdictions and position the Virgin Islands to join the Social Work Licensure Compact in the future.

Regulators and practitioners urged technical corrections. Avril George and Assistant Commissioner Carla Benjamin of the Department of Human Services recommended clarifying supervisory pathways so long‑serving staff who supervise others but lack a current MSW are not disqualified; Benjamin urged grandfathering or equivalency provisions so experienced, licensed supervisors can continue in supervisory roles. \"We recommend...grandfather clauses [or] equivalency provisions should be added,\" Benjamin said. Juliette Millen, a member of the Board of Social Work Licensure, said the board can consider waivers for supervisors and encouraged collaboration to minimize operational disruption.

Natalie Hodge, Commissioner of the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs, asked that degree initials (BSW, MSW) be handled carefully in the draft to avoid implying a ban on displaying academic degrees; legal counsel advised removing degree initials from the prohibition language because they are academic credentials rather than licensure titles. Testimony also requested clearer cross‑references to existing judicial review statutes, a required public registry of licensed social workers, and explicit repeal or amendment of superseded code sections so authority is codified in a single place.

Committee members pressed on workforce impacts. Assistant Commissioner Benjamin told senators that roughly three to four DHS supervisors could be affected by new credential-language and that the department wants a pathway for experienced practitioners to continue supervising while preserving standards for new entrants.

The committee voted to approve bill 36‑0050 and 36‑0051 in committee and to forward both measures to Rules and Judiciary. The clerk recorded the committee vote on bill 36‑0050 as 6 yes, 1 absent and on bill 36‑0051 as forwarded for further review. The committee did not adopt the Social Work Interstate Compact within this block; witnesses said compact participation would require separate enabling legislation.

Next steps and document fixes: testimony asked the sponsor and staff to (1) remove degree initials from prohibitions that refer to licensure titles, (2) add a registry requirement and public access to licensure status, (3) add explicit grandfather/waiver language or clear equivalency routes for long‑serving supervisors, and (4) cross‑reference existing administrative review statutes.

The committee record shows the bills will return to Rules and Judiciary for drafting of technical corrections and final consideration.

Ending: The sponsors, regulators and national experts present said they will continue working with the committee and the DLCA board to refine the bills before final floor action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","05-27-2025 Committee on Health, Hospitals and Human Services","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Committee on Health, Hospitals and Human Services advanced two companion bills (36‑0050 and 36‑0051) to modernize social work licensure and create a territorial Board of Social Work Licensure, forwarding both measures to the Rules and Judiciary Committee after testimony from territorial regulators, the University of the Virgin Islands and the Association of Social Work Boards.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature, Virgin Islands","taxId",77876,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6546775,"Department of Human Services reports Head Start enrollment shortfall but construction, waitlist signal recovery",2642,11619000,14261000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3516045-290cbf07ad3f288e0a8ffbac768c96f4&start=11619&end=14261","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3516045-290cbf07ad3f288e0a8ffbac768c96f4/thumbnail_11619000.jpg","/articles/6546775/Department-of-Human-Services-reports-Head-Start-enrollment-shortfall-but-construction-waitlist-signal-recovery","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546775-08f7135b76bd7dc157cb147b029a3038/orig.mp4?Expires=1770487453&Signature=K~ZT8ePIt-po1trxO87Dn3pGlVrntdyudnrS4a2pOlFyi4C8AUldSwS5DPQ6c0FdnCnwV1m~HoEVGuauWZ4G~QkgqrztJ08qPo-7icnPwVu6q7SmA1Ze1ucrmqZn0WV5FNxUyp6YYfw75GSuPPa3-c3EnsPSNr15EmMrSxBmOWq6nvRI11nnEJeDWZyNt3-6u~qyHqomen-Rn3NOE7kxLKLwAu2~0mn07aYvLe9lkQH1tbJIeOOvzDXf2ML7oGgsdDm8CNgNF9Fpqq7iQdqi4TvrNXeNdkzVrWaFVzMoRpogis2G0H7nTDtETVCqNYvNy6TdGHmA5rt~XhSiH7Z6hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Virgin Islands Department of Human Services told the Committee on Health, Hospitals and Human Services that the territory's Head Start program faces a shortfall in funded enrollment after prolonged under‑enrollment linked to post‑hurricane relocation and the COVID‑19 pandemic.

\"The Virgin Islands Department of Human Services Office of Head Start has been the Head Start grantee for more than 50 years,\" Commissioner Avril George said, summarizing the program's role. Administrators reported a funded enrollment of 794 children under the current grant, with actual enrollment at 631 — a territorywide under‑enrollment of roughly 20 percent that prompted a funding adjustment. The Department said the Office of Head Start was notified in a May 20 letter that, because of prolonged under‑enrollment, federal funding will be reduced and that DHS plans to appeal that decision.

Masika Lewis, Head Start administrator, reported that current enrollment is 631 students: 370 on St. Croix (20 classrooms), 261 on St. Thomas (13 classrooms), and 20 on St. John (1 classroom). The program reported 67 enrolled children with documented special‑needs plans (14 IEPs and 53 IFSPs) and an additional 41 children who are pending evaluation by the Department of Education.

DHS told senators it is constructing five new Head Start facilities—Crucian Bay, Bolongo, Mineta Mitchell, Lindbergh and Anas Hope—with staggered completion dates through late 2025, and noted the recent completion of one site. The department also reported a current wait list of about 354 eligible children for the next school year (149 on St. Croix, 188 on St. Thomas, 17 on St. John), and said it will continue outreach and recruitment. DHS also described standard health and developmental screenings (vision, hearing, dental, lead, immunizations) and said it coordinates with the Department of Health and the Department of Education for services and transition planning.

Committee members pressed DHS on staffing and vacancies; DHS reported approximately 25 federally funded vacancies, including teacher and assistant teacher positions, and that most openings are posted through the Division of Personnel and are subject to Head Start regional vetting. Senators asked DHS and the Department of Education to expedite evaluations for children suspected of special needs and for the agencies to coordinate on payment and service delivery.

Ending: DHS said it will appeal the immediate funding reduction, complete facility projects, continue recruitment and return to the committee with updates on the appeal and proposed staffing plans.","DHS officials told the Senate Health Committee that Head Start funding was trimmed after prolonged under‑enrollment; the territory is rebuilding capacity with five construction projects, maintains a wait list for next school year and will appeal the immediate funding adjustment.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6546779,"Committee advances bill to raise sanitation fines, Health Department urges clear fee schedule and posting of inspection grades",10157,1931000,12088000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3516045-290cbf07ad3f288e0a8ffbac768c96f4&start=1931&end=12088","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3516045-290cbf07ad3f288e0a8ffbac768c96f4/thumbnail_1931000.jpg","/articles/6546779/Committee-advances-bill-to-raise-sanitation-fines-Health-Department-urges-clear-fee-schedule-and-posting-of-inspection-grades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546779-418e23f64612a2e8258c5cb02e00d68a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770487453&Signature=KnO4CaFWiV6E4VUxFb02i4uZrCw-ym7fLT6-VCKhtStt6cnM5vi0oT~qRxBivhBsz4s8SUGisTRdwIA-zwCqjbIR3hi83kKtrqtVTOlNZjh5StGRh7A9u9IDTBKG5h~8DJcMOXKPTixQkcMhOhjK4gqI4QOEmzolE9SBPw9i0Y7zjPAECE7yRXtSXSKYpkW8bwbJSvR8VQrdpkGpKpCg6UnLpZBYjeNGRJmmUuiWlokI9D8ioxHVrFNURCabNVyit5OhzvyhU9xaw66rUoAgY0CvmeX9UFzDqk6SmIXV-569uMzB-CsmTLjPXvLzq~ip32zKCvvxqc1OZrz0Mt2enA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Health, Hospitals and Human Services voted to advance bill 36‑0043, an act to increase penalties for sanitation law violations, after extensive testimony from the Department of Health and other witnesses who urged a broader update to Title 19, Chapter 53 and a clear, objective fee schedule.

Justa Encarnacion, Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Health, told the committee that the territory's citation and fine schedule dates back to 1949 and is now \"severely outdated.\" Encarnacion said a 2019 National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) study found USVI first‑citation fines were roughly 30 times lower than comparable jurisdictions. \"The U.S. Virgin Islands' division of environmental health fines and citation assessments are the lowest among all benchmark agencies by significant margin,\" Encarnacion said.

The Department recommended updating fines to align with NEHA findings—examples in testimony included increasing a first citation from $30 to about $900, a second from $50 to roughly $1,500, and a third to about $1,700—coupled with graduated enforcement emphasizing education and compliance assistance prior to penalties. Encarnacion also proposed mandatory posting of health permits and inspection grades in a conspicuous place within an establishment and clearer statutory procedures for summary suspension, reinspection timelines and revocation with due‑process hearing rights.

\"Updating these penalties would create meaningful deterrents,\" Encarnacion said. Department witnesses emphasized that the intent is not to target compliant businesses but to deter repeat or serious violations that put public health and the territory's tourism economy at risk.

Committee members raised concerns about discretionary enforcement and urged a codified fee schedule so penalties are consistent and transparent. Director Watson Harris, Division of Environmental Health, described risk‑based inspections that focus on hazards likely to cause severe illness (for example, failing refrigeration temperatures and cross contamination) and said the department will coordinate a risk‑based fee scale to avoid arbitrary fines.

After debate and an amendment in the nature of a substitute that added posting of inspection grades and clarified suspension/revocation language, the committee voted to forward the bill to Rules and Judiciary for further drafting. The clerk recorded the committee vote as favorable (committee tally recorded as six yes, one not voting on the amended measure). Members asked the Department of Health to return with a specific, codified penalty schedule (by category and risk level) to be incorporated into the bill and to work with DLCA and the Legislature on implementation guidance.

Ending: The committee advanced the measure while asking agencies to produce an objective fee schedule, clearer timelines for suspension/reinstatement, and language to protect due process for permit holders.","The committee voted to forward bill 36‑0043 to Rules and Judiciary after testimony from the Department of Health calling for modernization of fines, mandatory posting of inspection grades and clarified suspension/revocation and appeals procedures; the Department cited a 2019 NEHA study showing USVI fines far below comparable jurisdictions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee backs overhaul of social work licensure, forwards bills to rules committee

Department of Human Services reports Head Start enrollment shortfall but construction, waitlist signal recovery

Committee advances bill to raise sanitation fines, Health Department urges clear fee schedule and posting of inspection grades