Committee advances Caregivers Leave Act amendment; forwards bill to Rules with unanimous vote

The Committee on Health, Hospitals and Human Services on the record advanced bill 36‑0086, the Caregivers Leave Act, as amended and forwarded it to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary after a 7‑0 roll‑call vote.

The measure, sponsored by Senator Novell E. Francis Jr., would clarify and broaden Title 3, Virgin Islands Code, chapter 25 section 590b to expand who qualifies as a "caregiver" for the statute and establish routine, monthly administrative leave for eligible government employees. The committee adopted amendment 36‑599 to consolidate and clarify definitions before voting to report the bill favorably.

Why it matters: Committee members and supporters said the legislation recognizes the growing number of family caregivers in the territory and creates a modest, predictable entitlement so employees do not have to choose between wages and caregiving duties. Testimony and committee discussion emphasized implementation details — how employers will verify caregiver status, how the leave interacts with donated leave and FMLA, and what documentation will be required.

What supporters said: Cindy L. Richardson, director of the Division of Personnel, told the committee the division supports the amendment and is preparing rules and regulations to administer caregiver leave for government employees. Richardson said the proposed text confines coverage to government employees (including autonomous and semi‑autonomous agencies) and expands the definition to expressly include primary caregivers of elderly or dependent adults. She noted the territory already recognizes caregiver responsibilities through the donated‑leave program under Title 3, Virgin Islands Code §583(b) and that the new language will make administration more consistent across agencies.

Troy Deshaber Shuster, AARP’s state director for the Virgin Islands, said AARP endorses the bill. He described the proposal as providing four hours of paid leave per month (48 hours per year) for government employees to attend essential caregiving duties and urged safeguards — such as timely proof of need, limits on accrual, and anti‑fraud measures — so the benefit supports workers without unduly straining operations.

Tracy Stewart Sanders, president of Continuum Care Home Health LLC, described caregiving as a round‑the‑clock responsibility that often falls on one family member. Sanders recommended naming a single designated family caregiver for continuity of care, stressed caregiver training and verification, and encouraged incentives for private employers to adopt similar programs.

Key points of debate: Senators from across the floor expressed unanimous support for the bill but repeatedly pressed the sponsor and Division of Personnel on verification and the scope of the benefit. Questions included what documents qualify a "designated caregiver" (a medical power of attorney or written family designation was discussed), how the 48‑hour reporting rule in subsection C (proof must be submitted within 48 hours after the absence) would operate in practice, and how the new leave would interact with existing sick, annual and donated leave. Division staff said rules and regulations will define documentation and operational procedures.

Formal actions: The committee considered and adopted amendment 36‑599 (which consolidated caregiving definitions and added references for elder and dependent adults). Senator Marvin Blyden moved amendment 36‑599, and Senator Alma Francis Heiliger seconded the motion; the amendment was adopted by the committee. Later, Senator Marvin A. Bridal moved that bill 36‑0086, as amended, be reported favorably to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary. The committee recorded seven yes votes and the bill was forwarded.

Implementation and next steps: Division of Personnel staff told senators they will draft guidance, rules and regulations defining required documentation, interaction with donated leave, and payroll coding. The committee directed the bill to Rules and Judiciary for further consideration and possible refinement on verification and administrative procedures.

Quotes: "The proposed amendment helps us to better support our caregivers," Director Cindy L. Richardson told the committee, adding the Division of Personnel stands ready to provide technical assistance on implementation. "Supporting working caregivers is not only the right thing to do, it is sound business policy," Troy Shuster said for AARP.

Ending: The committee’s unanimous vote advances the bill to the Rules and Judiciary committee, where senators and staff are expected to resolve detailed implementation questions — chiefly verification, recordkeeping and the interplay with existing leave programs — before the measure reaches the full Legislature.