Electronic Wills, Notarial Acts, Complete Streets Policy, and Government of the VI Retirees Return to Work Legislation Become Law in The Virgin Islands

Español | AARP in The Virgin Islands hit four home runs with the signing of four (4) significant pieces of legislation this month.

AARP in The Virgin Islands advocated and worked with the 34th Legislature of the Virgin Islands for the passage of the VI Uniform Electronic Wills Act, the VI Uniform Notarial Acts, Complete Streets Policy, and supported the passage of the Government of the Virgin Islands Retirees Return to Work Legislation.

On March 24, 2022, the four Bills were approved by the Full Body of the Legislature, and all were signed into law by Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. on April 11, 2022.

AARP thanks all the members of the 34th Legislature of the Virgin Islands, especially the Primary Sponsors and Committee Chairs, and The Honorable Governor Albert Bryan, Jr., for working to ensure the Bills were enacted. We also thank AARP Members, Government Agencies Representatives, and all the people in The Virgin Islands who supported these Bills.

Bill No. 34-0156 allows for a Will to be signed electronically, and Bill No. 34-0155 modernizes the law so that legal documents can be notarized and witnessed remotely. The Uniform Electronic Wills and Notarial Acts enactment provides additional security and prevention of fraud and abuse.

Bill No. 33-0041 and Amendment 33-681 establish the Complete Streets Policy in roadways' construction and repairs designs within the Territory. This Act allows for Planners of road lanes to include pedestrian infrastructure in all road designs and repairs. As Complete Streets are built within the Territory, young and older residents, the disabled, bikers, and commuters will have designated spaces and lanes in the same street while traveling to get to where they need.

The enactment of the Complete Streets Policy means that The Virgin Islands is on its way to becoming a Livable Community.   This Act fulfills the goal of making the Virgin Islands an Age-Friendly Territory, a commitment made by Governor Albert Bryan when he enrolled the Territory in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities in May of 2019.

Bill No. 34-0171, the VI Retirees Return to Work legislation, will allow retirees to re-enter the government workforce.

"This is another historic day for The Virgin Islands and AARP," said Troy de Chabert-Schuster, State Director of AARP in The Virgin Islands. "The Electronic Wills and Notarial Acts enactment provides easier Estate Planning for all Virgin Islanders. Finally, witnessing the Complete Streets Bill signed into law, and its enactment is a result of AARP's continued work in the Virgin Islands to make our communities more livable for people of all ages. The Return to Work Bill for retirees provides the return of already highly trained individuals to fill many vacant positions in the VI government."

To learn more about AARP's advocacy work in the VI and what AARP is doing to make the Virgin Islands more livable, visit aarp.org/vi, Facebook.com/aarpvi, Facebook.com/aarpviespanol for Spanish, and aarp.org/livable.