On Thursday the Rules and Judiciary committee forward five bills dealing with a variety of medical issues to honoring Ronaqua Russell for her extraordinary achievements in the Coast Guard to the Committee of Whole.
Bill 34-0042 An Act repealing title 3 Virgin Islands Code chapter 23, section 415 relating to the Boards of Examiners for Medicine, Surgery, Dentistry, Pharmacy Optometry, Physical Therapy Chiropractic and Podiatry and reestablishing the respective boards establishments of an re-establishing the language in Title 27 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 1, section 1a; and establishing a temporary board.
Senator Novelle Francis spoke to the bill and explained that this bill was to deal with the issues that present themselves due to a lack of a quorum on these boards. It would allow for the board of Medical Examiners in this situation to be able to establish a quorum and deal with business such as being able to process applications. Mr. Francis explained that the act would expire 120 days after enactment as it is just temporary to address a current void.
This bill was passed after Mr. Francis offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute by striking all language after the enacting clause and adding language that would allow members of the Board of Medical Examiners to serve as de facto members on any of the listed boards that do not have an established quorum, which carries out the intent of the bill.
The companion bill for this bill was 34-0041, An act amending title 27 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 1, subchapter I, by amending section 7 relating to the continuing medical education requirements for permanent and institutional licensees, by inserting a new section 55 relating to the Commissioner of Health’s authorization to issue licenses to radiological technologists, a new section 56 relating to the Good Samaritan Law, and a new section 57 relating to penalties; amending subchapter XI relating to the the practice podiatry; and by making technical amendments.
Mr. Francis explained that this bill was not to take away any scope of authority but to address quorum challenges for other boards and correct language in the other areas that it addresses.
Bill 34-0040, An Act amending title 27, chapter 1 of the Virgin Islands Code by adding a new subchapter V a. Establishing the Nurse Licensure Compact to create a multi state.
Senator Kenneth Gittens explained that this would allow the Virgin Islands that the bill would remove complications for nurses practicing in multiple states as nurses do not have to spend time applying for licenses in each state which would in turn would help the territory attract more qualified nurses.
Bill 34-0028, an act amending title 19 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 37, subchapter III adding section 870 to authorized registered nurse practitioners employed by a licensed hospice, or certified nursing home to determine and pronounce death under certain specified conditions; and requiring the Department of Health to promulgate implementing regulations.
Mr. Francis spoke to this bill and explained that the purpose of the bill was to provide a more compassionate process for those that lost a lost one in the aforementioned medical settings. He explained that it was passed in the 32nd Legislature but was vetoed because the language in that bill was not completely correct.
Bill No. 34-0019 a resolution honoring and commending Ronaqua Russell for heroic achievements and extraordinary performance that resulted in her becoming the first African-American female aviator in the United States Coast Guard to receive the air medal.
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