Bill Amending the Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act Becomes Law

Español | AARP in The Virgin Islands advocated on behalf of Virgin Islanders for Bill No. 34-0034, an Act amending title 1, Virgin Islands Code, by adding Chapter 3A enacting the Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act.  The Bill was voted unanimously in favor by the full body of the VI Legislature and signed into law by Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. on August 16, 2021. 

AARP in The Virgin Islands testified during the legislative hearing in favor of the passage of the Bill. AARP thanks the Chair of the Government Operations and Consumer Protection Committee, Senator Carla Joseph and Sponsor Senator Genevieve Whitaker. AARP also thanks the committee members, Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr, Marvin A. Blyden, Alma Francis Heyliger, Javan E. James, Sr., Franklin D. Johnson, and Milton D. Potter and other Members of the VI Legislature.

Bill No. 34-0034 is an amendment to the existing Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act. The Bill, now Act. No. 8462, will provide for the management of electronic legal information in a manner that guarantees the trustworthiness of and continuing access to important government legal material. 

In this present era of technology, people have access to the internet to search for all types of information. The issue is that much of the data needed for research, particularly for developing testimonies during formal legislative or governmental hearings, is not always trustworthy. The Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act amendment allows creating a database that will become the go-to place to access vital government material such as the VI Code and manage this legal information electronically.

“As AARP in The Virgin Islands advocates for its members, older adults, and Virgin Islanders, we must obtain correct and up-to-date information to testify on behalf of our constituents effectively,” said Troy de Chabert-Schuster. “Presently, the access to legal information and the laws is limited. Having a system in place under this Act will address this limitation”.

AARP is concerned about fraud and how incorrect information is used to target seniors and the elderly.  AARP has a Fraud Watch Network that provides a hotline for victimized individuals to report fraud.  The network provides resources to learn how to identify scams and for potential victims to protect themselves from identity theft. As AARP-VI continues the work, the organization must also access accurate information. 

AARP in The Virgin Islands is proud to have worked on behalf of AARP Members and Virgin Islanders for this Bill to become law. To learn more and obtain updates, visit aarp.org/vi or AARP Virgin Islands on Facebook or Facebook.com/aarpvi.