Title 10, Civil Rights
6 chapters · 51 sections in this title.
10 V.I.C. § 1 Statement of public policy
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Whereas this title is enacted under the police power of the Territory of the United States Virgin Islands, for the protection of the public welfare, order, health, safety, and peace of all of the people therein; and Whereas the Legislature finds and hereby declares that practices…
10 V.I.C. § 10 Construction of chapter
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The courts shall construe this chapter liberally in furtherance of its intent as stated in section 1 of this title.
10 V.I.C. § 11 Discrimination against members of the National Guard; application of chapter
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(a) It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice for any person engaged in any activity to which this chapter applies to discriminate against any other person because he or she is or has been an officer or member of the National Guard of the United States Virgin Islands. (b) A…
10 V.I.C. § 2 Definitions
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As used in this chapter—“discrimination” includes refusal of sale or service, employment, or of setting up different standards in any of these, or segregation, based on race, creed, color, or national origin.“place of public accommodation, resort, or amusement” means any place wh…
10 V.I.C. § 3 Rights of persons; prohibition against discrimination
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(a) All natural persons within the jurisdiction of the United States Virgin Islands, without regard to race, creed, color, or national origin, and subject only to the conditions and limitations established by law and applicable in like manner to all persons, are entitled to—(1) e…
10 V.I.C. § 4 Filing information as to club facilities, licenses, charges, etc.; determination and registration
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(a) No later than January 15 of each year, any person maintaining, owning, leasing, possessing, or operating any club facilities consisting of physical property such as land, beaches, or buildings shall file with the Civil Rights Commission—(1) a statement of the licenses he hold…
10 V.I.C. § 5 Tuition charges by parochial or denominational schools; admission to religious bodies maintaining schools
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This chapter shall not be construed as preventing a reasonable difference in charges by parochial or denominational schools for tuition of members and nonmembers or preference in admission to members of the religious body maintaining the school.
10 V.I.C. § 7 Penalties for violations
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(1) Whoever, whether as owner, officer, manager, agent, or employee of any business or industrial establishment, labor organization, place of public accommodation, resort or amusement, or club, violates any of the provisions of this chapter, shall, for each and every such violati…
10 V.I.C. § 8 Revocation of license by District Court; procedure
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Whenever the Attorney General of the Virgin Islands has information that any person engages in any act, or adopts or pursues any custom, policy, practice, or requirement amounting in effect to violation or evasion of this chapter, he shall procure a rule to show cause to issue ou…
10 V.I.C. § 9 Revocation of license or tax exemption by Governor
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In addition to any other penalties provided for in this chapter, the license to conduct a business, or to sell any articles or facilities or services, or any tax or fee exemption or subsidy granted under the provisions of subtitle 4 of Title 33, of any person who violates any of …
10 V.I.C. § 41 Statement of compliance with Civil Rights Act
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Every holder of a license issued after July 9, 1961, shall be required to sign a statement: (1) that he will comply with any and all provisions of the Civil Rights Act of the United States Virgin Islands applicable to his or its business, and (2) that he will post as a condition …
10 V.I.C. § 42 Display of compliance sign or monogram
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The Civil Rights Commission shall require licensees to display a sign in their business places bearing the inscription: “This business complies with the Civil Rights Act of the United States Virgin Islands”. In lieu of such sign and inscription, the Civil Rights Commission may cr…
10 V.I.C. § 43 Issuance of copy of Civil Rights Act to licensees
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The Civil Rights Commission shall mail a printed copy of the Civil Rights Act to each current licensee of record and shall issue a copy of the same with any license hereafter issued by him.
10 V.I.C. § 44 Penalties for violation or for failure to show license
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Whoever, being the holder of any license to do business in the United States Virgin Islands, fails to display same prominently in his business place during business hours or a government-issued monogram in lieu thereof as provided in section 42 of this title, or fails to produce …
10 V.I.C. § 61 Construction
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The provisions of this chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the police power of the territory for the protection of the public welfare, health and peace of the people of this territory and in fulfillment of the provisions of the Revised Organic Act of this territory concerning …
10 V.I.C. § 62 Commission on Civil Rights—Establishment
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(a) There is established, within the Department of Justice for budgetary purposes only, a Commission to be known as the Virgin Islands Civil Rights Commission. (b) The Commission shall be composed of seven members who shall be appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and…
10 V.I.C. § 63 Powers and duties of the Commission
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(a) The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:(a) Enforce the provisions of this title;(b) Investigate allegations in writing under oath or affirmation that citizens of the United States, otherwise qualified to vote, are being deprived of their right to vote and h…
10 V.I.C. § 64 Unlawful discriminatory practices
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(1) It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice:(a) For an employer, because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, place of birth, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and/or political affiliation of any individual, to refuse to hire or employ or to bar…
10 V.I.C. § 64a Sexual harassment prohibited
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(a) The Legislature declares as the public policy of the Government of the Virgin Islands that sexual harassment in employment is a type of sexual discrimination and, as such, constitutes an illegal and undesirable practice that goes against the established constitutional princip…
10 V.I.C. § 64b Sexual orientation awareness and implicit bias training
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(a) As used in this section “implicit bias” means a mental, prejudicial inclination or tendency that occurs automatically and unintentionally, that nevertheless affects judgments, decisions, and behaviors. (b) All government agencies, departments, instrumentalities, and semi-auto…
10 V.I.C. § 65 Compensation of members
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(a) Each member of the Commission who is not otherwise in the service of the Government of the United States Virgin Islands shall receive the sum of $30 per day for each day spent in the work of the Commission plus actual and necessary expenses incurred thereby. (b) Each member o…
10 V.I.C. § 66 Powers—Staff Director, appointment and compensation; personnel and services
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There shall be a full-time director for the Commission who shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Legislature and who shall receive compensation at a rate not to exceed $18,500 per annum. The Governor shall consult with the Commission before submitt…
10 V.I.C. § 67 Voluntary personnel
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The Commission may accept or utilize services of voluntary or uncompensated personnel.
10 V.I.C. § 68 Hearings; issuance of subpoenas
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(a) The Commission, or on the authorization of the Commission, the Director, or any subcommittee of two or more members, may, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this title, hold such hearings and act at such times and places as the Commission or such authorized sub…
10 V.I.C. § 69 Rules and regulations
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The Commission shall have the power to make such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
10 V.I.C. § 70 Veterans' special rights or preference
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Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to repeal or modify any law creating special rights or preferences for veterans.
10 V.I.C. § 71 Enforcement provisions—Penalties
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(a) Whenever it is charged in writing under oath by a person claiming to be aggrieved, or a written charge has been filed by a member of the Commission where he has reasonable cause to believe a violation of this chapter has occurred, the Commission shall furnish the respondent w…
10 V.I.C. § 72 Service of formal charge; notice of hearing; filing of answer; amendments
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(a) Unless the Commission has issued an order dismissing the complaint, it shall serve on the respondent, by registered or certified mail, a formal statement of the charge and notice of a hearing at a time and place specified in the notice. A copy of the notice shall be furnished…
10 V.I.C. § 73 Civil actions by the Commission; complaint
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Whenever the Commission has reasonable cause to believe that any person or group of persons is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of any of the rights secured by this chapter, and that pattern or practice is of such a nature and is intended to de…
10 V.I.C. § 74 Temporary relief on restraining order; motion to hear case on its merits
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At any time after a complaint is filed, the Commission may file a petition in the Superior Court, seeking appropriate temporary relief for a period of time not to exceed 30 days against the respondent pending final determination of proceedings under this chapter, including an ord…
10 V.I.C. § 75 Reports to Legislature and the Governor
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The Commission shall at the close of each fiscal year report to the Legislature and to the Governor concerning the action it has taken; the names, salaries and duties of all individuals in its employ and the moneys it has disbursed; and shall make such further reports on the caus…
10 V.I.C. § 101 Indemnification
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Subject to the limitation of this chapter and notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Government of the United States Virgin Islands shall indemnify and pay on the behalf of any police officer, corrections officer, Virgin Islands marshal and probation offi…
10 V.I.C. § 102 Limitations
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(a) Indemnification or payment under section 101 of this chapter shall not exceed $100,000 for each occurrence of wrongful death and $25,000 for each occurrence in all other actions, except as provided in subsection (c) hereof. (b) No indemnification or payment shall be paid in a…
10 V.I.C. § 103 Insurance by Government
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The Governor may, at his discretion, and subject to appropriations therefor, obtain appropriate insurance coverage for indemnifications or payments payable under this chapter.
10 V.I.C. § 121 Definitions
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(a) As used in this chapter, unless it is otherwise provided or the context requires a different construction, application, or meaning:(a) “Employee” means a person who performs a service for wages or other remuneration under a contract of hire, written or oral, express or implie…
10 V.I.C. § 122 Retaliation against employees
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An employer shall not discharge, threaten, or otherwise discriminate against an employee regarding the employee's compensation, terms, conditions, location, or privileges of employment because the employee, or a person acting on behalf of the employee, reports or is about to repo…
10 V.I.C. § 123 Violations
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(a) A person who alleges a violation of this chapter may bring a civil action for appropriate injunctive relief, or actual damages, or both, within ninety days after the occurrence of the alleged violation of the provisions of this chapter. (b) An action commenced pursuant to sub…
10 V.I.C. § 124 Court awards
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A court rendering a judgment in an action brought pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, shall order, as the court considers appropriate, reinstatement of the employee, the payment of back wages, full reinstatement of fringe benefits and seniority rights, actual damages, or …
10 V.I.C. § 125 Penalties and fines
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A person who violates the provisions of this chapter shall be liable for a civil fine of not more than $500.00 payable to the Department of Finance.
10 V.I.C. § 126 Notice to employees
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An employer shall post notices and use other appropriate means to keep his or her employees informed of their protections and obligations under this chapter.
10 V.I.C. § 151 Policy
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(a) It is the policy of this Territory to:(a) encourage and enable blind persons to participate fully in the social and economic life of the Territory and to engage in remunerative employment; and(b) encourage and enable blind persons to be employed in the Government service, in …
10 V.I.C. § 152 Use of public facilities by blind persons
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(a) Blind persons have the same right as persons who are not blind to the full and free use of the streets, highways, sidewalks, walkways, public buildings, public facilities, public beaches and other public places. (b) Blind persons are entitled to full and equal accommodations,…
10 V.I.C. § 153 Dog guides
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Every blind person shall have the right to be accompanied by a dog guide, when said dog guide is equipped with a rigid “U”-shaped harness, in any of the places, accommodations, or conveyances listed in section 152 of this chapter, without being required to pay an extra charge for…
10 V.I.C. § 154 Employment of blind persons
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Blind persons shall be employed on the same terms and conditions as persons who are not blind and shall not be denied the opportunity to obtain or maintain employment or to advance in positions of employment solely because such persons are blind or are accompanied by dog guides, …
10 V.I.C. § 155 Housing accommodations of blind persons
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A blind person is entitled to rent, lease or purchase, as are other members of the general public, all housing accommodations offered for rent, lease, or compensation in this Territory, subject to the conditions and limitations established by law and applicable alike to all perso…
10 V.I.C. § 156 Dog guide trainer; access to public facilities
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A dog guide trainer, while engaged in the actual training process and activities of dog guides, shall have the same rights and privileges with respect to access to public facilities, and the same responsibilities as are applicable to a blind person.
10 V.I.C. § 157 Blind person accompanied by dog guide; right-of-way; white cane
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A blind person accompanied by a dog guide, or who is carrying a cane predominantly white or metallic in color, with or without a red tip, shall have that right-of-way over vehicles while crossing a highway or any intersection thereof, as provided in section 510 of chapter 43 of T…
10 V.I.C. § 158 Violations; penalties
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(a) Any person who denies or interferes with admittance to or enjoyment of any of the places, accommodations, or conveyances listed in section 152 of this chapter, or otherwise interferes with the rights of a blind person under sections 152, 153, 154 and 155 of this chapter, shal…
10 V.I.C. § 159 Complaints to the Virgin Islands Commission on the Handicapped
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(a) Any blind person whose admittance to or enjoyment of any of the places, accommodations, or conveyances listed in section 152 of this chapter has been denied or interfered with or whose rights under sections 152, 153, 154 or 155 of this chapter have been interfered with may fi…
10 V.I.C. § 160 Blind person; definition
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For the purposes of this chapter, the term “blind person” means, and the term “blind” refers to, a person who is totally blind, has impaired vision of not more than 20/200 visual acuity in the better eye and for whom vision cannot be improved to better than 20/200, or whose bette…