COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY, JUSTICE AND 
PUBLIC SAFETY 
 
 
BILL NO. 
36-0091 
 
Thirty-Sixth Legislature of the Virgin Islands 
 
 
 
May 19, 2025 
 
 
 
An act repealing and re-enacting title 3 Virgin Islands Code chapter 25, section 570a, 
establishing a recruitment and retention program for police officers, correction officers, and 
registered nurses within the Division of Personnel 
 
 
 
PROPOSED BY: 
 
 
Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. 
 
WHEREAS, the Government of the Virgin Islands has a critical need to increase 
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personnel in essential government agencies, including the Virgin Islands Police Department, 
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Bureau of Corrections, and healthcare facilities; 
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WHEREAS, the Government of the Virgin Islands has historically faced challenges in 
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recruiting and retaining qualified police officers, correction officers, and registered nurses due 
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to workforce shortages, competitive job markets, and geographic limitations; 
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WHEREAS, recruitment and retention incentives are essential to attracting and 
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maintaining a highly skilled workforce necessary for the effective functioning of government 
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services; 
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WHEREAS, it is in the public interest to implement a structured recruitment and 
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retention program that provides competitive incentives to fill critical vacancies and retain 
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experienced personnel in key government positions; and 
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WHEREAS, offering financial incentives, relocation assistance, and retention bonuses 
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can enhance workforce stability and encourage long-term service among government 
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employees; Now Therefore, 
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Be it enacted by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands: 
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SECTION 1.  Title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 25, section 570a is repealed and re-
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enacted as follows: 
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Ҥ570a. Recruitment and Retention Program for Police Officers and Other In-
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Demand Positions 
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(a) 
As used in this section: 
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(1) 
“Eligible employee” or “eligible position” means police officers, correction 
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officers, registered nurses, and any other critical-need positions as determined by the 
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Director of Personnel. 
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(2) 
“Program” means the Recruitment and Retention Program established under 
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this section. 
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(3) 
“Director” means the Director of the Division of Personnel of the 
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Government of the Virgin Islands. 
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(b) 
The Director shall establish the Recruitment and Retention Program within the 
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Division of Personnel to attract and retain qualified professionals in eligible positions. 
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(1) 
The Program shall include recruitment incentives, retention bonuses, 
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relocation assistance, and delayed retirement bonuses to address staffing shortages in key 
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government departments. 
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(c) 
The following incentive bonuses shall be paid to eligible employees: 
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(1) 
Recruitment Bonuses: 
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(a) 
a $10,000 cash incentive for newly recruited employees. 
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(b) 
a $5,000 relocation bonus for employees relocating to the Virgin 
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Islands. 
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(c) 
a $500 employee referral bonus for government employees referring a 
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successful candidate. 
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(2) 
Retention Bonuses: 
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(a) 
a $10,000 delayed retirement bonus for eligible employees who 
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commit in writing to serve an additional five years. 
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(3) 
Disbursement of Payments: 
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(a) 
Recruitment bonuses shall be distributed in stages: 
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(i) 
$2,500 upon passing initial hiring requirements. 
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(ii) 
$5,000 upon successful completion of training or probationary 
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period. 
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(iii) $2,500 upon completion of two years of continuous service. 
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(b) 
Retention bonuses shall be distributed in stages: 
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(i) 
$2,500 after one additional year of service. 
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(ii) 
$2,500 after three additional years of service. 
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(iii) $5,000 upon completion of five additional years of service. 
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(d) 
Employees receiving incentive payments must sign a written service agreement 
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committing to a minimum of three years of continuous service for recruitment bonuses and five 
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years for retention and relocation bonuses. 
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(1) 
Employees who fail to meet the required service period shall repay a prorated 
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portion of the incentive received over a two-year period. 
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(e) 
The Director shall conduct an annual review of the Program’s effectiveness and 
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submit a report to the President of the Legislature. 
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(1) 
Every three years, an assessment must be conducted to determine: 
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(a) 
Positions still in need of recruitment and retention efforts; 
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(b) 
Effectiveness of the incentive structure; and 
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(c) 
Staffing levels and vacancy trends. 
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(f) 
The Program shall be funded through existing budget allocations for vacant 
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positions and applicable federal or territorial grants.  The Director shall also seek additional 
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funding sources to fund the Program. 
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(g) 
The Director shall promulgate regulations necessary to implement the Program.” 
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SECTION 2.  The first assessment of the Recruitment and Retention Program shall be 
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completed one year after the effective date of this act. 
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BILL SUMMARY 
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This bill amends title 3 Virgin Islands Code chapter 25, section 570a, by repealing and 
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replacing it with a new section 570a to establish a Recruitment and Retention Program within 
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the Division of Personnel.  The program provides recruitment incentives, retention bonuses, 
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and relocation assistance to attract and retain police officers, correction officers, and registered 
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nurses in high-need positions. 
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The bill authorizes cash incentives of up to $10,000 for newly recruited employees. 
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Payments will be distributed in stages, and employees must sign a service agreement requiring 
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a minimum of three to five years of service, with repayment required if the commitment is not 
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met. 
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The Director of Personnel must conduct annual reviews and submit a report to the 
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Legislature, with a full assessment every three years to evaluate program effectiveness.  
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Funding will come from existing budget allocations and applicable grants, and the Director 
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will develop necessary regulations for implementation. 
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The first program assessment must be completed one year after the effective date of the 
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bill. 
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BR25-0393/May 12, 2025/KEH 
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