A proposed new law would abolish the legal distinction between children born in and out of wedlock in the Virgin Islands, said Law Reform Commission Chairman Ray Harris during a public meeting Thursday night at the Road Town Methodist Church.
The law would also grant the courts power to order paternity testing when a child’s parentage is challenged, Mr. Harris said.
As the new law would entitle children born outside of wedlock to inherit their parents’ assets, it may encourage VI parents to make wills, he added.
“If you leave a will, as long as it is properly done, you can leave your property to whoever you want,” Mr. Harris said.
The new law also addresses presumptions of paternity and artificial conception. In both cases, the law places precedent on established societal relations over biological connections. For example, if a married couple decides to use artificial conception to have a child, they are considered the legal parents.
The meeting was one in a series to gather public input on the proposed law. Meetings are also scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Cane Garden Bay Baptist Church and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Ashford Waters Community Centre on Virgin Gorda.
See the April 19, 2012 edition for full coverage.