Unable to require a Shopper Field of type 'date'

[koaconsulting]

We've been trying to help a client with their VM based site and this issue popped up recently.  We're trying to require a Shopper Field during registration that is an "Expiration Date" but VM doesn't require it to be filled out because it's of type "date".  It does display a message that the field is required but it still lets the user complete their registration.  Is there any way to force this requirement?

The field hasn't been modified in the DB or had its default value changed.

Thanks in advance for your help!

VM Version: VirtueMart 3.8.4 10335
Joomla Version: 3.9.22

[GJC Web Design]

inject the necessary elements to enforce requirement by JS?