Senator Carla J. Joseph is pleased to announce that two bills she sponsored, Bill No. 35-0226, now Act No. 8830, and Bill No. 35-0223, now Act No. 882, were signed into law by Gov. Albert Bryan, Jr. on April 11.
These bills hold significant importance for single-parent homes, as they aim to secure a minimum default child support payment and honor Bishop Dr. William A. Industrious by renaming a portion of Gamle Gade in his honor, respectively.
“Today marks a significant milestone for the children of the U.S. Virgin Islands and living in single-parent headed households. The child support bill, now a law, ensures that non-custodial parents who have been withholding providing financial information will be penalized by paying a monthly default payment. This relief measure amounts to $1,000 for the first child and $150 for each additional child, providing much-needed support to our single-parent homes.
Non-custodial parents who fail to provide financial information will be pay this monthly penalty until they appear before a scheduled hearing and provide financial information requested by the Department of Justice Division of Paternity and Child Support. The calculation of monthly child support is based on a parent’s ability to pay based on the VI Code and aligns with federal standards for paternity and child support. There are several needs for caring for a child within a household. One parent should never bear most of the costs of caring for a child alone. This law will now help provide relief to homes where the non-custodial parent has failed to support their children.
I want to thank Gov. Bryan for making the child support bill law to support our children in the U.S. Virgin Islands. I also want to give special thanks to my colleagues who co-sponsored and supported the bill as well as the VI Department of Justice Division of Paternity and Support, which also supported the bill and worked alongside me to craft the measure.
I am also delighted that my second bill to name a portion of Gamle Gade the Bishop Dr. William A. Industrious Street was also signed into law today. This is the street in Savan where Weeks and Weeks Bakery is located. Bishop Industrious has unselfishly given his time and resources to the community in the Savan and to the Christian Unity Church located on the street now named in his honor. I highly regard Bishop Industrious for his kind heart and position on refusing a salary for his ministry in preaching and teaching about salvation. Congratulations to Mr. Industrious, the Savan Community, members of the Christian Unity Church and the Industrious family. The William Industrious Street represents a legacy of a kind, Godly, dependable man with a heart for serving others and our community. Thank you again, Governor Bryan, for signing into law this second measure to honor such a worthy man. Thank you to my colleague who supports the measure.
The child support default payment and the Bishop Dr. William A. Industrious Street represent support and recognition for the people of our community.”
Sen. Carla J. Joseph
