Lawmakers in the Virgin Islands Legislature on Wednesday advanced a measure aimed at easing the burden on families raising children with disabilities, approving the proposal unanimously in committee.
Bill 36-0207 cleared the Committee on Education and Workforce Development, moving it to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary. The legislation would require employers to provide a set amount of paid leave each month to parents or legal guardians so they can attend medical and therapy appointments for their children without losing income.
Under the proposal, eligible employees would receive dedicated paid time off specifically for appointments related to a child’s diagnosed disability, including medical, therapeutic and diagnostic visits. The requirement would apply broadly to both public and private-sector workers, including employees of companies that receive government incentives.
As introduced, the bill provides for two hours of paid leave per month. However, senators signaled support for increasing that amount to four hours.
“This legislation represents a smart, balanced investment in children, families and the long‑term health of our community,” said Assistant Health Commissioner Reuben Molloy. “At its core, it advances one of the fundamental objectives of public health: ensuring early detection of changes in a child’s health and development and facilitating timely access to treatment and supportive services before conditions worsen.”
“By removing barriers to care, we strengthen prevention, improve outcomes and build a more responsive and resilient healthcare system,” Molloy added.
Officials from the Virgin Islands Department of Labor backed the measure, but also urged lawmakers to make sure the new protections are clear and workable for businesses of different sizes. They argued that supporting caregivers is not only a matter of fairness, but also good economics. “When working parents are able to take care of their children without risking their job or their income, it benefits everyone,” said Assistant Commissioner Nesha Christian-Hendrickson of the Department of Labor.
“Employees are more focused and committed, and employers retain experienced workers, and the overall workforce becomes stronger and more stable.” Christian-Hendrickson said that’s why the department is asking for precise definitions, reasonable timelines and flexibility for emergencies, so the law can be enforced consistently without overburdening small employers.
Beyond agency testimony, several senators framed the measure as a basic quality-of-life issue. Sen. Novelle E. Francis Jr. said no parent should be forced to choose between earning a paycheck and meeting a child’s medical needs, particularly when ongoing therapy and evaluations are required.
“No parent should have to choose between keeping their job and caring for their child, grandchild or whoever that may be. It’s very painful. It’s extremely distracting,” Francis said. “Giving them that four hours, giving them six hours, perhaps, I think is critical.”
Lawmakers and agency officials outlined several changes they want to see before the bill advances further, including increasing the number of paid hours, clarifying who qualifies as a full-time employee, and strengthening enforcement language so employers clearly understand what constitutes a violation. They also urged lawmakers to specify who would be responsible for imposing penalties and how long workers would have to file complaints.
“We want to make sure this leave is administered consistently and in alignment with the existing caregiver framework,” said Cindy Richardson, director of the Virgin Islands Division of Personnel. “The enforcement provisions assign additional responsibilities to our division, so the guidelines have to be very clear.”
Committee members and witnesses also pressed for clear rules on how emergencies will be handled when parents cannot provide advance notice, as well as guidance on how the new benefit would align with an existing caregiver leave law that has been slow to take effect.
That concern was echoed by Sen. Kurt A. Vialet, who pointed to the territory’s track record of delayed implementation and noted that a caregiver leave law approved in 2016 is only now seeing policies and regulations put in place.
“If we pass this bill and it’s not implemented, it’s just one of the many measures the Legislature has passed that hasn’t been carried out,” said Vialet, the committee’s chair. “We need to make it work as quickly as possible.”
Sen. Avery L. Lewis, the bill’s sponsor, agreed that the proposal will require technical amendments before reaching a final vote, but said the committee’s support marks an important step for families seeking relief.
“I have some amendments to do, some homework to do, but I really thank you,” Lewis told colleagues after the vote. “This is really personal and fitting for the people of the Virgin Islands. It’s a critical need.”
