Handicap Parking Language Change Bill Moves Forward, Loitering Measure Held During Rules And Judiciary Hearing

St. Thomas – The Committee on Rules and Judiciary on Thursday approved multiple measures that will be forwarded to the full body for final ratification before being sent to Governor Kenneth Mapp.

Out of the 10 measures up for consideration, 9 were approved and one was held in committee. Bill No. 32-0127, which seeks to amending Virgin Islands Code to strengthen the loitering law and increase the sentence for loitering, was harshly criticized by Attorney General Claude Walker during a previous hearing. Mr. Walker had feared the bill would have unintended consequences. It was sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis.

Among the 9 measures approved on Thursday was Bill No. 32-0055, which calls on the Department of Public Works to remove all public parking signs that refer to “handicap parking” and replace them with signs that refer to “persons with disabilities.” The measure was sponsored by Senator Janette Millin Young.

“We know that there is much to be addressed when it comes to removing the word “Handicap” from our disabled parking signs to be addressed when it comes to removing the barriers that are preventing individuals with disabilities from having complete inclusion,” said Julien Henley, advocate and trainer for the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands.

The following measures were also approved by the committee:

• Bill No. 32-0146-An Act honoring and commending Irvin “Brownie” Brown Sr. for his significant contributions to the culture and music of the Virgin Islands by renaming the portion of General Gade, which runs from the intersection of Veterans Drive up to the intersection of Silke Gade “The Irvin “Brownie” Brown, Sr. Road
• Bill No. 32-0148-An Act amending Title 1 Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 11 by adding section 200i establishing the month of May as Virgin Islands Stroke Awareness Month
• Bill No. 32-0170-A Resolution honoring and commending Lorna Lenise Freeman for her outstanding charitable performances to the community and her many contributions to the people of the Virgin Islands and for being a true ambassadress of the Virgin Islands
• Bill No. 32-0055- An Act providing for the Virgin Islands Department of Public works to replace public parking signs that refer to “Handicap Parking”, making an appropriation from the Transportation Trust Fund for replacement of parking signs and for other related purposes
• Bill No. 32-0064- An Act Amending the Virgin Islands Code, Title 3, Chapter 24, Section 431 providing for a registry of the elderly and persons with disabilities living alone
• Bill No. 32-0129- An Act Amending Title 14 of the Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 3A relating to human trafficking to enact the Virgin Islands Uniform Prevention of and
• Bill No. 32-0129- An Act Amending Title 14 of the Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 3A relating to human trafficking to enact the Virgin Islands Uniform Prevention of and Remedies of Human Trafficking Act and amending title 5, Chapter 303, Section 3541 relating to the statute of limitations for prosecuting the crime of Human Trafficking
• Bill No. 32-0179 -An Act amending Virgin Islands Code, Title 24 Chapter 10, amending Sections 221, 228 and 230, relating to the apprenticeship standards

Senators present were Novelle Francis, Jr. Brian Smith, Janette Millin Young, Myron Jackson, Jean Forde, Marvin Blyden, Dwayne DeGraff, Alicia Hansen, Sammuel Sanes, Janelle Sarauw, and Positive Nelson.