(a) The Virgin Islands Commission on Aging is established within the Office of the Governor for budgetary purposes and shall be herein referred to for purposes of this section only as the “Commission”.
(1) The Commission shall be composed of the following persons:
A. The Commissioner of the Department of Human Services or his designee relating to Senior Citizens Affairs;
B. The Commissioner of the Department of Health or his designee relating to Senior Citizens Affairs;
C. One Representative from the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority;
D. One Representative from the Virgin Islands Housing Authority;
E. One Representative from the AARP Virgin Islands;
F. The Executive Director of Lutheran Social Services or his designee;
G. The Executive Director of St. Ursula's/St. John or his designee;
H. One Representative from the League of Women Voters of the Virgin Islands; and
I. One Representative from the Virgin Islands Banking Industry.
The Commission members shall serve a period of two years or for so long as they shall hold a position designated to be a Commission member. The Commission shall select, from among its members, a Chairperson who shall serve in this capacity and the chairpersonship shall alternate bi-annually from each district.(2) The Commission shall meet monthly at a location to be determined by the Chairman and shall utilize to its best efforts conferencing capabilities between both island districts.
(b) Powers and Duties of the Commission. The Virgin Islands Commission on Aging shall have the responsibility to:
(1) Identify issues of concern to older adults of the Virgin Islands;
(2) Research legislative issues, analyze impacts on the welfare of older adults and provide suggestion for legislators; and
(3) Promote networking of organizations and individuals which support services and opportunities for senior citizens, to include but not be limited to: Adult Protective Services, V.I. Family Caregiver Support Program, Foster Grandparents Program, Homemaker Services, Homes for the Aged in both districts, Information and Referral Services, Nutrition Program for the Elderly (Meals on Wheels), Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Community Employment Program, and the Pharmaceutical Assistance Program.
(c) Compensation. Members of the Commission shall be compensated in the form of reimbursement for travel expenditures only as authorized by the Chairman. An annual appropriation from the General Fund through the Office of the Governor shall be used for reimbursements.