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MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Members of the Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks The Honorable Carla Joseph, Vice Chair The Honorable Marvin A. Blyden The Honorable Alma Francis Heyliger The Honorable Novelle E. Francis, Jr. The Honorable Franklin D. Johnson The Honorable Avery L. Lewis FROM: Senator At Large Angel L. Bolques, Jr. ___________________ Chairman, Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks DATE: February 18, 2026 RE: AGENDA | Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports and Parks HEARING: Friday, March 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM, Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas. “Aging with Dignity: Oversight of Nursing Homes, Federal Certification Readiness, and Financial Protections for Seniors in the Virgin Islands” The Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks will convene a legislative oversight hearing to examine the state of elder care and senior protections in the Virgin Islands. The hearing will include a comprehensive review of the operational conditions of government and privately operated nursing homes and long-term care facilities, with emphasis on quality of care, staffing levels, infrastructure readiness, financial stability, regulatory compliance, and progress toward CMS certification and federal funding eligibility. Through testimony from agency leaders, regulatory officials, and advocacy organizations, the Committee aims to identify systemic gaps, strengthen accountability, and advance policies that ensure safe, financially secure, and dignified care for the Territory’s aging population. Additionally, the Committee will receive testimony on Bill No. 36-0192, the Senior Financial Protection and Promissory Note Abuse Prevention Act of 2025, which seeks to strengthen safeguards against financial exploitation of seniors through enhanced enforcement measures, reporting requirements, and interagency coordination. BLOCK I: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM “Aging with Dignity: Oversight of Nursing Homes and CMS Certification Readiness in the Virgin Islands” The Committee will receive detailed testimony regarding the operational conditions of all government and privately operated nursing homes and long-term care facilities in the Virgin Islands. The review will examine quality of care, staffing adequacy, facility infrastructure, occupancy rates, financial sustainability, MEMORANDUM Legislature of the Virgin Islands P.O. BOX 1690 ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS 00802 (340) 693-3571 CHAIRMAN Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, and Parks VICE-CHAIRMAN Committee on Economic Development & Agriculture MEMBER Committee of the Whole Committee on Rules & Judiciary Committee on Homeland Security, Justice & Public Safety Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning Sub-Committee on Energy & Infrastructure Development The Honorable Angel Bolques, Jr. Senator-At-Large 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands r. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ____ __ __ __ __ __ __ ____ __ __ __ __ __ __ ______ _ __ _ __ ____ _ ___ h, Aging, Spor or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or ortststststststststststst , and d d Park rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rk rks Y th A i S t and compliance with territorial licensing and regulatory standards, with particular focus on identifying systemic gaps and risks affecting the health, safety, and dignity of the Territory’s elderly population. The Committee will also assess each facility’s status toward CMS certification and readiness to meet federal Conditions of Participation, including barriers to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, infrastructure deficiencies, and corrective actions necessary to secure sustainable federal funding. This Block is intended to provide a comprehensive oversight evaluation of the Territory’s long-term care system and to outline strategic policy measures to strengthen accountability, elevate care standards, and safeguard the financial and personal well-being of the Virgin Islands aging community. Invited Testifiers: • Honorable Averil E. George, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Human Services • Honorable Justa Encarnacion, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Health • Dwayne Alexander, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Housing Authority • Ms. Junia John-Straker, Chief Executive Officer, Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands • Ms. Ramona Leonce, Director, Flamboyant Gardens • Pastor Mona Barnes, Administrator, New Life Senior Resort • Troy de Chabert-Schuster, Executive Director, AARP Virgin Islands LUNCH ________ 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM BLOCK II: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM The Committee will debate on Bill No. 36-0192 Bill No. 36-0192: An act amending title 34 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 15 to enact the Senior Financial Protection and Promissory Note Abuse Prevention Act of 2025. Proposed by Senator Alma Francis Heyliger Invited Testifiers: • Honorable Averil E. George, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Human Services • Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., Attorney General of the Virgin Islands, Department of Justice • Ms. Glendina Matthew, Director, Division of Banking and Insurance, Office of the Lieutenant Governor • Ms. Pamela Toussaint, Associate State Director, Advocacy and Community Outreach, AARP VI • Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Police Department _____________________________________________________________________________________ Sincerely, The Honorable Angel Bolques, Jr. Chair, Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, and Parks Senator At Large, 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands Courtesy Copy:______________________________________________________________________________ Cc: All Senators, All Chiefs of Staff, All Divisions of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, All Members of the Virgin Islands Media Sincere ely, Th The Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho Honorarararararararararararararararararararararararararararararararararararablblblblblblblb e An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An An Angel l l Bolq Chair, Committee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee e on Cultu Senator At Large 36th Leg