Senate Advances Amendments to Counseling and Discrimination Laws

On Thursday, the Committee on Rules and Judiciary advanced amendments to counseling licensure requirements and race discrimination laws for the territory but voted to hold legislation that publicizes record-keeping of the Board of Elections.

Bill 34-0190 modifies licensure exemptions and eligibility requirements, increases the length of time board members serve, requires criminal background checks for all new and existing applicants, adjusts education requirements, and increases fines for individuals who hold themselves to be licensed professional counselors without valid licenses.

Vincentia Paul-Constantin, chairman of the V.I. Board of Licensed Counselors and Examiners of the Virgin Islands Board of Licensed Professionals, testified in favor of the bill amending existing law. She told an anecdote about the creation of the bill in 2016 which she said was a “pivotal moment” for the U.S. Virgin Islands, as the board now regulates the field of counseling in the territory and provides an avenue for individuals to pursue a professional license.

“The most important aspect of this board is to address and provide services to the ever-expanding mental health crisis,” said Paul-Constantin.

Sen. Marvin Blyden, the bill’s sponsor, said the change would “facilitate the licensing of more professional counselors, thus increasing the pool of providers.”

Alongside amendments to counseling laws, senators voted Bill no. 34-0147 out of committee. It amends V.I. civil rights laws to redefine discrimination in employment housing, accommodations, and education on account of race, to include discrimination on the basis of hair texture and styling.

Sen. Carla Joseph voiced “major concerns to the validity of discrimination being evidence in the Virgin Islands because of natural hairstyles,” being that testimony was not heard from the departments of Education, Justice, or Labor, “critical entities in the Virgin Islands that deals with discrimination.”