2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 24A - Office of the Disabled Persons Investigating Official (§§ 532 — 532q) › § 532f - Investigating Official—Powers and duties; administrative

For the purpose of complying with the purposes of this chapter, the investigating official shall have the following powers and duties, among others:
(a) To determine the internal organization of the Office and establish the necessary systems for its adequate functioning and operation as well as to perform the administrative and managerial actions needed for the implementation of this chapter and any other local or federal statutes and the regulations adopted by virtue thereof which are delegated to him.
(b) Appoint the personnel needed to carry out the purposes of this chapter, which shall be included in the categories of confidential and career employees, as said terms are defined in §§ 1301 et seq. of this title, known as the “Puerto Rico Public Service Personnel Act”, and may avail themselves of the benefits of §§ 761 et seq. of this title, which establishes the Public Employees Retirement Systems. Likewise, he may also contract the technical and professional services he deems are necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter, under the norms and regulations of the Department of the Treasury.
(c) Adopt, promulgate, amend, modify and repeal the rules and regulations as needed to implement this chapter, that are not incompatible with the Commonwealth laws in effect and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, nor with the federal legislation or regulations in effect. The regulations adopted to such effects, with the exception of those applicable to internal procedures, shall be subject to the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Uniform Administrative Procedures Act”. The procedures to present, process and investigate petitions and complaints shall be governed by the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, in all that is applicable and not in contravention of this chapter or the regulations adopted to such effects.
(d) Delegate [to] any official he may designate to such effects any of the functions, duties and responsibilities conferred upon him by this chapter or any other legislation under his administration and jurisdiction, except those powers established in subsection (c) of this section.
(e) Acquire, without being subject to the provisions of §§ 931 et seq. of this title, known as the “General Services Administration Act”, the materials, supplies, equipment and property needed for the functioning of the Office, and to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
(f) To prepare and administer the Office’s budget and any funds which are allocated or given to it to administrate by virtue of any local and federal laws, and to establish an accounting system pursuant to the legal provisions that govern the accounting, administration and disbursement of public funds.
(g) To enter into agreements or covenants with the agencies of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Government of the United States of America to assist disabled persons, which will ensure the protection of their rights, and for the administration of any programs or funds appropriated for such purposes.
To such effects, the Office is designated as the Commonwealth Government agency to be in charge of the administration of any federal program which, by its nature, purpose and scope, is related to the functions assigned to it hereunder. The Investigating Official shall have the responsibility of entering into and executing the covenants or agreements needed for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to receive all the federal funds and benefits to carry out said programs.
(h) Negotiate, accept and receive from any private or public source, donations or assistance in money, goods or services.
(i) To submit to the Governor of Puerto Rico and the Legislature, no later than the second week of January of each year, a complete and detailed report on the Office’s activities, its achievements, programs, matters handled, complaints processed, the funds from various sources that were appropriated or administered by the Office during the report year, the disbursements made, and surplus funds if any.
(j) Charge for expenses incurred by the Office for the printing of educational material to be distributed to the citizenry, photocopying of requested documents, educational activities it offers, and related matters. The government agencies and instrumentalities shall be exempted from any charges.
History —Sept. 27, 1985, No. 2, p. 816, § 7, renumbered as § 10 and amended on Aug. 30, 1999, No. 298, § 4.