(a) Central staff employees of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands who have been employed on the central staff of the Legislature for more than four (4) consecutive years shall receive automatic appointments in each Legislature and may not be dismissed unless it is for cause and they have had an opportunity to be heard in accordance with the Rules of the Legislature.
(b) Raises and promotions shall be based on a recommendation of the division head, and approved in accordance with the Rules of the Legislature.
(c) Central staff employees of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands for the purpose of this section do not include employees of Senator's personal staff including those paid from central staff funds, the Executive Director, Assistant Executive Director, Chief Counsel, Chief Recording Secretary, Sergeant At Arms, Supervisor of Business Affairs, Chief of Research Division, Director of Media Services, Chief of Maintenance and Construction, Post Auditor and the Parliamentarian.
(d) “Dismissed for cause” under this section includes but is not limited to:
(1) Engaging in a business which conflicts with his duties;
(2) Unprovoked insolent or offensive conduct toward an individual visiting the offices of the Legislature;
(3) Use of intoxicants or controlled substances which interferes with the proper discharge of his duties;
(4) Wilfully and intentionally disobeying reasonable and lawful rules, orders and instructions of a division head;
(5) Performing his work assignments in a negligent manner;
(6) Continuous absences from his place of employment;
(7) Incompetency or inefficiency; and
(8) Engaging in conduct that is unlawful on or off the legislative grounds.