Committee advances bills on gun license loophole, penalties for child abuse

In addition to resolutions and nominee considerations, the Senate Rules and Judiciary Committee advanced four bills during a Thursday hearing, including one that would increase penalties for failure to report crimes involving child abuse and another to repeal reciprocal recognition of firearm licenses obtained outside the Virgin Islands.

Both bills were proposed by Sen. Alma Francis Heyliger with the aim of ensuring the safety of the community.

“For some reason here in our territory we seem to have this nonchalant behavior when it comes to the abuse, whether sexual assault or physical of our children, but we have to put the fear of God in these people so they can understand that you cannot play with the children of this territory,” Heyliger said of Bill No. 34-0225. “Unfortunately, we have had situations and scandals that have rocked our education department, even here within this institution we’re dealing with our own alleged sexual assault situation here.”

She referred to last year’s arrest of Charlotte Amalie High School coach Alfredo Bruce Smith on a criminal complaint related to the alleged molestation of multiple minors and production of child pornography. She also referred to sexual misconduct allegations against Sen. Steven Payne Sr.

If adopted into law, the bill would adjust what Heyliger called “soft penalties” into a felony crime which could be punished by a fine of no less than $5000; no more than $10,000 and/or an imprisonment term of not less than two years and no more than five.

The bill specifically targets those legally responsible to report suspected child abuse, like doctors and educators.

Sen. Carla Joseph, who supported the bill, said she also found it “troubling” given that “we have to now force and put it in legislation because of the things that have been happening in our community with persons who are required to report these types of heinous crimes that are being perpetrated against our children.”