Committee backs creating a women veterans coordinator position and sends bill to Rules

The Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection on June 29 voted to forward Bill 36-0279 to Rules and Judiciary. The bill would add a women veterans coordinator position in the Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs to provide outreach, benefits assistance and coordination with federal and community partners.

Sponsor Senator Marie C. James said women who served often face unique challenges—health care needs, military sexual trauma, benefits navigation and housing—and deserve a dedicated advocate. “This legislation ensures that women veterans in the Virgin Islands have a dedicated advocate, someone whose responsibility is to help them navigate federal, territorial and community resources,” she told the committee.

Patrick D. Farrell, director of the Office of Veterans Affairs, testified in strong support, saying most states have equivalent positions and that the territory is behind in best practices. Farrell told senators he plans to consult a national network of coordinators to determine duties and standards. He estimated a likely salary range of $50,000 to $75,000 but said the position was not yet budgeted.

Lawmakers asked whether the coordinator could be limited to female hires and whether the role must be held by a Virgin Islands veteran. Legal counsel advised that advertising a job limited by sex would likely violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; Farrell said his intent is to seek a Virgin Islands veteran for the position but acknowledged hiring must comply with federal law. Senators raised other implementation questions—classification (GS vs. exempt), whether the position would be budgeted, and what services and family members (spouses, dependents, siblings) the coordinator would serve.

The committee voted unanimously in favor (roll call: seven yays) to forward the measure for further vetting and fiscal analysis by Rules and Judiciary.