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COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, HOSPITALS & HUMAN SERVICES The Honorable Ray Fonseca CHAIRMAN 36th Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands Capitol Building, P.O. Box 1690 Charlotte Amalie, V.I. 00804 (340) 693-3577 Email: senatorrayfonseca@legvi.org TO: Honorable Hubert L. Frederick, Vice-Chair Honorable Marvin A. Blyden Honorable Alma Francis-Heyliger Honorable Kenneth L. Gittens Honorable Milton E. Potter Honorable Kurt A. Vialet FROM: Honorable Ray Fonseca _ Chairman, Committee on Health, Hospitals & Human Services DATE: May 28, 2026 RE: AGENDA -Committee Hearing-Revised I Please be advised that the Committee on Health, Hospitals & Human Services will be conducting a hearing on Monday, June 01, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Chambers, on St. Thomas. BLOCK I____________________________________________________________10:00-11:15am Bill No. 36-0278-An act amending title 19, Virgin Islands Code, to establish immunization requirements for children and students enrolling in educational institutions in the Virgin Islands; to provide for immunization exemptions; and to require electronic reporting of immunization compliance to the Virgin Islands Department of Health through the Virgin Islands Immunization Registry (VIIRS), Sponsored by Senator Ray Fonseca. INVITED TESTIFIER: The Honorable Justa E. Encarnacion Commissioner Department of Health BLOCK II___________________________________________________________11:30am-1:00pm The Committee will receive testimony from the Department of Health regarding the Territory’s mental and behavioral health system, with emphasis on the use of appropriated funds, progress and timelines for facility construction and operational readiness, deployment of behavioral health vans, workforce recruitment and retention, community-based services, and interagency coordination. The Department is also expected to provide a detailed update on equipment and asset disposition from demolished or decommissioned facilities, current nursing shortages and stabilization strategies, and relocation plans for staff affected by ongoing renovation, demolition, or rebuilding projects to ensure continuity of public health services. COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, HOSPITALS & HUMAN SERVICES The Honorable Ray Fonseca CHAIRMAN 36th Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands Capitol Building, P.O. Box 1690 Charlotte Amalie, V.I. 00804 (340) 693-3577 Email: senatorrayfonseca@legvi.org INVITED TESTIFIER: The Honorable Justa E. Encarnacion Commissioner Department of Health BLOCK III_____________________________________________________________1:30pm-3:30pm The members will receive a comprehensive update on the status, operations, and overall progress of the Virgin Islands Diabetes Center of Excellence (VIDCOE). Testimony should address the Center’s current operations, programs, staffing, patient services, community outreach initiatives, funding, infrastructure, partnerships, and measurable outcomes achieved to date. The Committee will also examine any operational shortfalls, service delivery challenges, unmet needs, funding limitations, staffing concerns, equipment or facility issues, and any legislative or administrative support necessary to strengthen the Center’s capacity to serve residents of the Virgin Islands. INVITED TESTIFIER: Ms. Julia Sheen, DrPH, MPH Executive Director, Virgin Islands Diabetes Center of Excellence