A bill to amend the Service Commissions Act (No. 8 of 2011) had its First Reading in the House of Assembly on Friday, July 26.

The Service Commissions (Amendment) Bill, 2024 seeks to allow for the vetting of specified officers in the Public Service. This was one of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Report and is pursuant to the Government of the Virgin Islands’ subsequent agreement via the Framework for Implementation of the Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Report and Other Reforms.

The Bill also seeks to include in the functions of the Commissions the power to vet, or cause to be vetted, specified officers, or applicants for a post in the public service.

Another section proposes insertions as follows:

• provisions for applicants not to serve in the public service unless that person is granted vetting clearance

• preventing applicants who refuse to submit to or fail vetting from being considered for further recruitment in the Service,
• releasing officers from active duty who refuse to submit to vetting, fail to submit the prescribed form within the prescribed period, or fail vetting, until a determination is made by the relevant Commission, and
• allowing the Commission to outsource the vetting process to an independent body.

According to the Objects and Reasons of the Bill, officers should be vetted once every five years, except for senior officers, who shall be vetted every three years. Officers shall be subject to vetting prior to being promoted; where, in the opinion of the Commission, information with respect to that particular officer has come to light that may require that officer to be vetted; or where an officer was not granted vetting clearance and is required to resubmit to vetting.

The Service Commissions (Amendment) Bill, 2024, also seeks to insert two new sections that will  provide for the Commission to vet specified persons under this Act, and may, for that purpose, outsource the vetting process to an independent body.

Another amendment requires the Commission to consider any vetting report prepared for the purposes of the Act or regulations made under the Act, when advising the selection of individuals for appointments and promotions.

In addition, the Department of Immigration and His Majesty’s Prison is added to the list of Departments and offices subject to vetting, under the Service Commissions (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

Residents can now access the document and provide feedback to legislators before it moves through to passage. 

The Bill can be viewed at: https://bvi.gov.vg/sites/default/files/resources/service_commissions_amendment_bill_2024.pdf

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