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COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BILL NO. 36-0207 Thirty-Sixth Legislature of the Virgin Islands November 17, 2025 An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 25, subchapter VI, by adding section 590d and title 24 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 1, by adding section 24 requiring employers to grant parents or legal guardians of a child with a diagnosed disability, two hours per month of paid leave to attend the child’s medical appointments PROPOSED BY: Senator Avery L. Lewis Be it enacted by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands: 1 SECTION 1. Title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 25, subchapter VI is amended by 2 adding section 590d: 3 “§ 590d. Leave for children with a disability 4 (a) As used in this section: 5 (1) “Child with a diagnosed disability” means a child who is under the age of 18 6 and has undergone evaluation and received a professional diagnosis of a condition that 7 affects their learning, physical, or emotional development, and requires special support 8 or services. 9 (2) “Government of the Virgin Islands” or “GVI” means the Government of the 10 Virgin Islands including its semi-autonomous agencies and independent 11 instrumentalities. 12 2 (b) Parents or legal guardians of a child with a diagnosed disability who are full-time 1 employees of the Government of the Virgin Islands, are entitled to two hours per month of paid 2 leave to attend the child’s medical, therapeutic, or diagnostic appointments. 3 (c) The GVI may request the following documentation from the employee: 4 (1) confirmation that the child has been diagnosed with a disability; however, 5 no specific medical details may be required; and 6 (2) written proof of an appointment or other confirmation of attendance at the 7 medical appointment. 8 (d) The GVI may not deduct from an employee’s salary, wages, or accrued leave for 9 leave taken under this section. Leave under this section may be supplemented with accrued 10 sick leave if additional time is needed to attend the appointment. 11 (e) Except in cases of an emergency, employees must provide at least seven business 12 days’ notice of the appointment date and time to their employer. 13 (f) The Virgin Islands Division of Personnel (“VIDOP”) shall enforce the provisions 14 of this section and may promulgate regulations as are necessary to implement this section. 15 (g) VIDOP shall: 16 (1) investigate and resolve complaints, including requiring payment of back 17 pay, if applicable; and 18 (2) impose civil penalties not to exceed $1,000 per violation.” 19 SECTION 2. Title 24 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 1, is amended by adding section 24: 20 “§ 24. Leave for children with a disability 21 (a) As used in this section: 22 (1) “Child with a diagnosed disability” means a child who is under the age of 18 23 and has undergone evaluation and received a professional diagnosis of a condition that 24 3 affects their learning, physical, or emotional development, and requires special support 1 or services. 2 (2) “EDC beneficiary” means any person or entity granted economic 3 development benefits under title 29, chapter 12, Virgin Islands Code. 4 (3) “Private employer" means a sole proprietor, corporation, partnership, limited 5 liability company or other entity which employs ten or more persons. 6 (b) Parents or legal guardians of a child with a diagnosed disability, who are full-time 7 employees of a private employer or an EDC beneficiary, are entitled to two hours per month 8 of paid leave to attend the child’s medical, therapeutic, or diagnostic appointments. 9 (c) Employers may request the following documentation from the employee: 10 (1) confirmation that the child has been diagnosed with a disability; however, 11 no specific medical details may be required; and 12 (2) written proof of an appointment or other confirmation of attendance at the 13 medical appointment. 14 (d) An employer may not deduct from an employee’s salary, wages, or accrued leave 15 for leave taken under this section. Leave under this section may be supplemented with accrued 16 sick leave if additional time is needed to attend the appointment. 17 (e) Except in cases of an emergency, employees must provide at least seven business 18 days’ notice of the appointment date and time to their employer. 19 (f) The Virgin Islands Department of Labor (“VIDOL”) shall enforce the provisions 20 of this section and may promulgate regulations as are necessary to implement this section. 21 (g) VIDOL shall have the power to: 22 (1) investigate and resolve complaints, including requiring payment of back 23 pay, if applicable; and 24 (2) impose civil penalties not to exceed $1,000 per violation.” 25 4 SECTION 3. This act takes effect 90 days after enactment. 1 BILL SUMMARY 2 This bill amends title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 25, subchapter VI, by adding section 3 590d and title 24 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 1, by adding section 24 requiring the 4 Government of the Virgin Islands, private employers with at least 10 employees, and EDC 5 beneficiaries, to grant parents or legal guardians of a child with a diagnosed disability, who are 6 full-time employees, two hours per month of paid leave to attend the child’s medical 7 appointments. 8 BR25-0778/October 24, 2025/GC 9