Horse Racing Bills and Limit on Expelling Children Bill Move Forward

The Committee on Rules and Judiciary Thursday moved three bills favorably to the full Senate body.

Two bills concerned horseracing and one limited the expulsion and suspension of students in pre-kindergarten through third grade. It would amend the V.I Code by adding a section to make a course in mitigating behavioral issues and misconduct in the classroom a requirement for some professional educators.

Sen. Diane Capehart, chair of the committee, voiced concern about the bill, citing a case stateside where an elementary teacher was shot by an elementary school student.

Sen. Kenneth Gittens read a section of the bill that Capehart had admitted to not reading: “Children in pre-kindergarten through the third grade may not be suspended or expelled from schools, unless the child’s misconduct involves a deadly weapon, a controlled substance or endangers the safety of others in the school.”