reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 258 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 9 - Vocational Rehabilitation|§ 258. Assignability of maintenance rights

 The right of any individual to maintenance under this chapter shall not be transferable or assignable at law or in equity.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 259 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 9 - Vocational Rehabilitation|§ 259. Hearing for aggrieved person

 Any individual applying for or receiving vocational rehabilitation or any other services authorized by this chapter who is aggrieved by any action or inaction of any authorized officer or employee of the Department of Human Services, shall be entitled to a fair hearing by the Commissioner.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 260 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 9 - Vocational Rehabilitation|§ 260. Misuse of records and information

 It shall be unlawful, except for purposes directly connected with the administration of the programs authorized by this chapter, and in accordance with regulations for any person or persons to solicit, disclose, receive, or make use of, or authorize, knowingly permit, participate in, or acquiesce in the use of any list, or names of, or any information concerning persons applying for or receiving vocational rehabilitation or any other services authorized by this chapter, directly or indirectly derived from the records, papers, files, or communications of the Virgin Islands or subdivisions or agencies thereof, or acquired in the course of the performance of official duties.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 261 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 9 - Vocational Rehabilitation|§ 261. Limitation on political activity

 No officer or employee engaged in the administration of the programs authorized by this chapter shall use his official authority or influence or permit the use of the vocational rehabilitation programs for the purpose of interfering with an election or affecting the results thereof or for any partisan political purpose. No such officer or employee shall take any active part in the management of political campaigns or participate in any political activity, except that he shall retain the right to vote as he may please and to express his opinion as a citizen on all subjects. No such officer or employee shall solicit or receive, nor shall any such officer or employee be obliged to contribute or render, any service, assistance, subscription, assessment, or contributions for any political purpose. Any officer or employee violating this provision shall be subject to discharge or suspension.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 351 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 11 - Virgin Islands Subsidized Adoption Act|§ 351. Purpose

 The purpose of this chapter is to make possible through public financial subsidy the most appropriate adoption of each child certified by the Department of Human Services as requiring a subsidy to assure adoption.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 352 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 11 - Virgin Islands Subsidized Adoption Act|§ 352. Definition of “child”

 As used in this chapter, except as otherwise required by the context, “child” means a minor as defined by § 104(a) of this title, who is (a) a dependent of a public or voluntary licensed child-placing agency, (b) legally free for adoption, and (c) in special circumstances either (1) because he or she has established significant emotional ties with prospective adoptive parents while in their care as a foster child, or (2) because he or she is not likely to be adopted by reason of one or more conditions, such as: 1. Physical or mental disability, 2. Emotional disturbance, 3. Recognized high risk of physical or mental disease, 4. Age, 5. Sibling relationship, 6. Racial or ethnic factors, or 7. Any combination of these conditions.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 353 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 11 - Virgin Islands Subsidized Adoption Act|§ 353. Administration and funding

 The Department of Human Services shall establish and administer an ongoing program of subsidized adoption. Subsidies and services for children under this program shall be provided out of funds appropriated to the Department of Human Services for the maintenance of children in foster care or made available to it from other sources.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 354 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 11 - Virgin Islands Subsidized Adoption Act|§ 354. Eligibility

 Whenever significant emotional ties have been established between a child and his or her foster parents, and the foster parents seek to adopt the child, the child shall be certified as eligible for a subsidy conditioned upon his or her adoption under applicable Virgin Islands adoption procedures by the foster parents. In all other cases, after reasonable efforts have been made and no appropriate adoptive family without the use of subsidy has been found for a child, the Department of Human Services shall certify the child as eligible for a subsidy in the event of adoption. If the child is the dependent of a voluntary licensed child-placing agency, that agency shall present to the Department of Human Services (1) evidence of significant emotional ties between the child and his or her foster parents or (2) evidence or inability to place the child for adoption due to any of the conditions specified in section 352 of this chapter. In the latter case, the agency shall present evidence that reasonable efforts have been made to place the child without subsidy, such as recruitment of potential parents, use of adoption resource exchanges, and referral to appropriate specialized adoption agencies.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 355 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 11 - Virgin Islands Subsidized Adoption Act|§ 355. Subsidy agreement

 When parents are found and approved for adoption of a child certified as eligible for subsidy, and before the final decree of adoption is issued, there must [be] a written agreement between the family entering into the subsidized adoption and the Department of Human Services. Adoption subsidies in individual cases may commence with the adoption placement or at the appropriate time after the adoption decree, and will vary with the needs of the child as well as the availability of other resources to meet the child's needs. The subsidy may be for special services only, or for money payment, and either for a limited period, or for a long term, or for any combination of the foregoing. The amount of the time-limited or long-term subsidy may in no case exceed that which would be allowable from time to time for such child under foster family care, or, in the case of a special service, the reasonable fee for the service rendered. When subsidies are for more than one year, the adoptive parents shall present an annual sworn certification that the adopted child remains under their care and that the condition(s) that caused the child to be certified continue(s) to exist. The subsidy agreement shall be continued in accordance with its terms but only as long as the adopted child is the legal dependent of the adoptive parents and the child's condition continues, except that, in the absence of other appropriate resources provided by law and in accordance with Virgin Islands regulations, it may be continued after the adopted child reaches majority. Termination or modification of the subsidy agreement may be requested by the adoptive parents at any time. A child who is a resident of the Virgin Islands when eligibility for subsidy is certified shall remain eligible and receive subsidy, if necessary for adoption, regardless of the domicile or residence of the adopting parents at the time of application for adoption, placement, legal decree of adoption or thereafter. All records regarding subsidized adoption shall be confidential and may be disclosed only in accordance with applicable provisions of Virgin Islands law.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 356 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 11 - Virgin Islands Subsidized Adoption Act|§ 356. Appeals

 Any subsidy decision by the Department of Human Services which the placement agency or the adoptive parents deem adverse to the child shall be reviewable according to the provisions of the Virgin Islands administrative procedure.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 357 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 11 - Virgin Islands Subsidized Adoption Act|§ 357. Promulgation of regulations

 The Department of Human Services shall promulgate regulations consistent with this chapter within 90 days of March 7, 1980.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 358 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 11 - Virgin Islands Subsidized Adoption Act|§ 358. Short title

 This chapter should be known and may be cited as the Subsidized Adoption Act.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 359 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 11 - Virgin Islands Subsidized Adoption Act|§ 359. Effective date

 This chapter shall take effect on March 7, 1980.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 381 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 13 - Child Day Care Facility Licensure|§ 381. Legislative intent and declaration of purpose and policy

 It is the legislative intent to protect the health, safety and well-being of the children of the Territory who attend child day care facilities. Toward that end, it is the purpose of this chapter to establish Territory minimum standards for the safety and protection of children in child day care facilities, to insure maintenance of these standards, and to regulate such conditions in such facilities through a program of licensing. It shall be the policy of the Territory to insure protection of children under care in child day care facilities, and to encourage and assist in the improvement of child day care programs.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 382 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 13 - Child Day Care Facility Licensure|§ 382. Definitions

 As used in this chapter: (1) “Department” means the Department of Human Services. (2) “Child” means an individual under 18 years of age. (3) “Person” includes an individual, a public or private agency, an association, or a corporation. (4) “Child care operator” means any individual, ultimately responsible for the overall operation of a child day care center. (5) “Day care center” means a child day care facility which provides care for more than 12 children between 2 and 14 years of age for less than 24 hours a day, whether known under some other descriptive name such as “nursery”, “preschool”, “prekindergarten”, “after-school center”, “drop-in center”, or “child development center”, and whether or not the facility is operated for profit. (6) “Group day care home” means a child day care facility which provides care for 7 to 12 children under 14 years of age for less than 24 hours a day, and whether or not the facility is operated for profit. (7) “Family day care home” means a child day care facility which provides care for not less than 3 nor more than 6 children under 14 years of age for less than 24 hours a day, and whether or not the facility is operated for profit. (8) “Children's camp” means a recreational, educational or cultural program operating on a daily, and/or overnight basis, and providing care for three or more unrelated children between the ages of 3 and 14 years, and whether or not the facility is operated for profit.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 383 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 13 - Child Day Care Facility Licensure|§ 383. Required license

 (a) No person may operate a child day care facility for three or more unrelated children unless he holds a valid license issued by the Department of Human Services. (b) This section does not apply to: (1) state-operated facilities; (2) facilities operated in connection with a church, where children are cared for during short periods of time while parents or individuals in charge of the children are attending church services, which shall include but not be limited to Sunday school or other schools or classes for religious instruction; (3) hospitals; (4) an educational facility certified or accredited by the Department of Education that operates for educational purposes in grades kindergarten and above, and does not provide custodial care during the hours before or after the customary school day.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 384 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 13 - Child Day Care Facility Licensure|§ 384. Rules, regulations and standards

 (a) The Department shall promulgate reasonable rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this chapter. (b) The Department shall promulgate minimum standards for child day care facilities covered by this chapter which will: (1) promote the health, safety and welfare of children attending any facility; (2) promote safe, comfortable, and healthy physical facilities for children; (3) insure adequate supervision of the children by capable, qualified, and healthy personnel of sufficient number; (4) insure adequate and healthy food service; (5) insure an adequate program of activities and services to enhance the development of each child; (6) prohibit racial discrimination by child care facilities; and (7) include procedures by which parents and guardians are given opportunity for consultation in formulation of the children's educational and therapeutic programs. (c) The Department shall promulgate standard forms for applications and inspection reports. (d) The Department shall promulgate a standard procedure for receiving and recording complaints and a standard form for complaints. (e) The Department shall require as a provision for licensing any child day care facility that at least one (1) individual on staff must be certified to perform standard first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for infants and children. Facilities already licensed shall have not more than 240 days in which to meet this requirement.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 385 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 13 - Child Day Care Facility Licensure|§ 385. Inspection

 (a) An authorized representative of the Department may visit a child day care facility during the hours of operation for purpose of investigation, inspection, and evaluation. (b) The Department shall inspect all facilities licensed or certified by the Department at least twice a year and may inspect other facilities as necessary. At least one of the yearly visits must be unannounced, and all may be unannounced. (c) An investigation visit must be made if a complaint is received by the Department. The Department representative must notify the director or authorized representative of the facility being investigated that a complaint is being investigated. The result of the investigation must be reported in writing to the director. (d) The Department may call on governmental agencies for appropriate assistance within their authorized fields. (e) No employee shall be employed by an operator of a child day care facility unless the employee has been approved by the Department. Before granting approval, the Department must have received from the prospective employee: (1) a copy of his criminal record as certified by the Police Department; and (2) a copy of his employment record. The Police Department's criminal record investigation shall include a search of nationwide criminal recordkeeping systems in the United States.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 386 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 13 - Child Day Care Facility Licensure|§ 386. Technical assistance and consultation

 (a) The Department shall offer technical assistance to potential applicants, applicants, licensees, and holders of certification in meeting and maintaining standards for licensing and certification and achieving programs of excellence related to the care of children served. (b) The Department shall offer consultation to prospective and actual users of the facilities to assist in improving quality of service.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 387 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 13 - Child Day Care Facility Licensure|§ 387. Records

 All persons operating a licensed or certified child day care facility shall maintain individual child development records, individual health records, statistical records, and complete financial records.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 388 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 13 - Child Day Care Facility Licensure|§ 388. Issuance of license

 (a) A person desiring to operate a child day care facility shall apply in writing to the Department for a license. (b) The Department shall supply the applicant with the appropriate application forms and a copy of the appropriate minimum standards. (c) On receipt of the application, the Department shall conduct an investigation of the applicant and the plan of care for children. The investigation shall include the applicant's employment history and a check of the nationwide criminal recordkeeping systems in the United States. (d) The Department shall complete its investigation and render a decision on the application within ninety days after receipt of the application. (e) If the Department determines that the facility has reasonably satisfied all requirements, it shall issue a license. (f) In issuing a license, the Department may impose restrictions on the facility, including, but not limited to, the number of children to be served and the ages of children to be served. (g) A variance of an individual standard set forth in the standards may be granted for good and just cause by the Department. (h) A license applies only to the location stated on the application and license issued and is not transferable from one person to another or from one place to another. If the location of the facility is changed or the owner of the facility is changed, the license shall be automatically revoked. (i) The licensee must display the license in a prominent place at the facility. (j) Not later than thirty days prior to expiration of its license, a facility may apply for a renewal of its license in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Department. The application must be completed and acted on prior to the expiration of a license. Evaluation to determine if the applying facility meets all requirements must include a specified number of visits to the facility and review of all required forms and records.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 389 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 13 - Child Day Care Facility Licensure|§ 389. Provisional license

 (a) The Department may issue a provisional license to a facility whose plans meet the Department requirements but which is (1) not currently operating, or (2) changing ownership. (b) A provisional license is valid for six months from the date of issuance and is non-renewable.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 390 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 13 - Child Day Care Facility Licensure|§ 390. Annual license

 (a) An annual license will be issued if the Department determines that the facility meets all requirements on a continuing basis. The evaluation shall be based on a specified number of visits to the facility and a review of all required forms and records. (b) An annual license shall be valid for one year.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 391 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 13 - Child Day Care Facility Licensure|§ 391. Certification

 (a) Child care facilities operated by the Territory are exempt from the licensing requirements of this chapter, but Territory-operated facilities must receive certification of approval from the Department. (b) To be certified, the facilities must meet all Department standards, rules and regulations, and provisions of this chapter that apply to licensed facilities of the same category. The operator of a certified facility must display the certification in a prominent place at the facility. Certification of application must be renewed every two years. (c) Before issuing a certification of approval, the Department shall conduct an investigation of the operator of a certified facility to include the operator's employment history and a check of the nationwide criminal recordkeeping systems in the United States.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 392 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 13 - Child Day Care Facility Licensure|§ 392. Suspension

 (a) If a facility has temporarily suspended operations but has definite plans for renewing operations within the time limits of the issued license, the Department may suspend the license. (b) If the Department finds repeated non-compliance with standards that do not endanger the health or safety of the children the Department has the option of suspending the license for a definite period of time instead of denying or revoking the license. In order to qualify for suspension under this subsection, the facility must: (1) show it can meet the standards within the suspension period, and (2) suspend its operations. (c) If a facility does not comply with standards after the suspension, the Department must deny or revoke its license.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 393 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 13 - Child Day Care Facility Licensure|§ 393. Denial or revocation

 (a) If the Department finds that a facility does not comply with the provisions of this chapter, the Department standards, Department rules and regulations, or the specific terms of a license or certification, it must deny or revoke the license or certification of approval. (b) The Department must notify the person operating or proposing to operate the facility of the reasons for the denial or revocation and the person's right of appeal within 20 days of receipt of the Department's notification. (c) If the person wishes to appeal, he must notify the Department by certified mail within 20 days and must state in the notification the reasons against denial or revocation. (d) The Board of Social Welfare shall hear the appeal within four weeks, shall render its decision within one week after the hearing, and shall notify by certified mail the person of its decision. (e) Within 20 days after receipt of the Board of Social Welfare's decision, the person whose license has been denied or revoked may challenge the decision in a suit filed in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands. The trial shall be de novo. (f) On request by a person challenging a Department decision in a court suit, the Department shall supply him with a copy of the verbatim transcript of his Board of Social Welfare hearing, at his expense. Records of the hearing shall be kept for one year after a final decision is rendered. (g) Unless the Department uses the procedures set forth in section 384 of this chapter, a person may continue to operate a facility during an appeal of the denial or revocation of its license.
V.I. Code tit. 34, § 394 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 34 - Welfare|Chapter 13 - Child Day Care Facility Licensure|§ 394. Closure of a facility

 (a) If the Department finds any violation of this chapter or the Department's minimum standards or rules and regulations by a facility other than a Territory-operated facility that places the children in the facility in immediate peril, it may close the facility and place the children attending the facility in another facility. (b) A Department representative finding conditions that place children in a facility in peril shall immediately request the Commissioner of Human Services to immediately inspect the facility for verification of the conditions. (c) If the Department finds any violation of this chapter or the Department's minimum standards or rules and regulations by a Territory-operated facility that threatens serious harm to the children in the facility, the Department shall immediately report the finding to the Governor. (d) Closure under this section is an emergency measure. After closing a facility, the Department must seek an injunction against continued operation of the facility as prescribed in section 395 of this chapter.