All Roll Calls
Yes: 15 • No: 0
Virgin IslandsBill No. 36-027836th Legislature of the Virgin Islands (2025-2026)legislatureWALLET
An act amending title 19, Virgin Islands Code, to establish immunization requirements for children and students enrolling in educational institutions in
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Vaccines required for school and college
The law requires vaccine proof for all children entering daycare, K–12, and first‑time college students in the Virgin Islands. You must show a VI Health Department or U.S. HHS card, a foreign certificate, or proof you are finishing required shots. Required vaccines include Hepatitis B; DTaP; Polio; MMR; Varicella; and Meningococcal. Transfer students must show at least one dose for each required vaccine and proof they will finish the series. Medical exemptions need a doctor or ARNP exam and documents; religious exemptions need a one‑hour counseling visit each year and a signed form. Each exemption lasts one school year and must be renewed. During an outbreak, on the Health Commissioner’s advice, schools may exclude unimmunized students for at least 21 days or two incubation periods, whichever is longer. To return, students must show they finished counseling and, if needed, an updated exemption. Schools may suspend or deny admission if parents refuse to follow the rules.
Schools must report vaccines or pay
School leaders may not knowingly admit or keep a student without acceptable vaccine proof. Schools, daycare centers, and universities must keep immunization records, send them electronically to the Virgin Islands Immunization Registry, and report suspected outbreaks to the Health Department. An institution that fails to send a student record or report an outbreak pays $1,000 per violation.
Providers face 24‑hour vaccine reporting
All health providers, hospitals, and medical centers must report each vaccine they give to the Immunization Registry within 24 hours. They must also report confirmed vaccine‑preventable diseases and allow Health Department record reviews for public‑health investigations. The Department may inspect and copy relevant patient records for surveillance and outbreak control. Sharing records under this law does not violate local privacy rules. A provider that fails to report or blocks an inspection pays $500 per violation.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
Ray Fonseca
legislature
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 8/26/2026
Floor Action
Yes: 15 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Enacted
9/4/2026legislatureTo Governor
8/28/2026legislatureFloor
8/26/2026legislatureIntroduced
5/8/2026legislature
Bill Text
Enacted Act
9/4/2026
Bill Text
5/8/2026
Related Bills
Bill No. 36-0393, An act amending Act No. 9035 to reprogram funds within the 2026 fiscal year budget for Virgin Islands Department of Health to provide a $2,500,000 appropriation
Lease 36-0293, An act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and The St. Thomas Cricket Association Inc. for Parcel No-2 of Tract
Bill No. 36-0192, An act amending title 34 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 15 to enact the Senior Financial Protection and Promissory Note Abuse Prevention Act of 2025
Bill No. 36-0290, An act granting a zoning use variance for Plot No. 104 Estate Concordia, Westend Quarter, St. Croix from the R-2 (Residential Low Density–One and Two Family)
Bill No. 36-0339, An act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, acting through the Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement,
Bill No. 36-0392, An act amending title 33 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 111 creating the Virgin Islands Contractor Bonds Cost Revolving Loan Fund