2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 35 - Public Buildings Security Act (§§ 691 — 694) › § 693 - Security norms

(a) As a part of the minimum security norms to be adopted in all government dependencies, the following behaviors are hereby prohibited:
(1) The bearing of any type of weapon shall not be permitted, except for those used by duly identified law enforcement officers, officers assigned to the government dependency in question, as well as those used by private security guards assigned to the same dependency. Each dependency director shall be responsible for establishing by regulation the mechanisms necessary to dispose of the weapons borne, in accordance with the laws of Puerto Rico, by the visitors who go to said dependency while they receive the corresponding services.
(2) The introduction of blunt or sharp objects that may be used as weapons to assault third parties shall not be permitted. Excepted from this prohibition are those objects introduced into the government dependency for fairs or artisanry exhibitions, recognitions, and special events. Also excepted from this provision are canes, crutches, walkers or other instruments used by elderly or disabled persons.
(3) The introduction of animals shall not be allowed, with the exception of those duly trained to serve as guides to blind persons, the hearing impaired or persons who have any impairment that requires their use, as well as those trained for security that are accompanied by a law enforcement officer.
(4) The introduction of explosive materials or hazardous substances shall not be permitted. Excepted from this prohibition are those materials that, due to the nature of the service offered by the government dependency, are necessarily handled and stored therein. In these cases, however, the dependency must take all the necessary steps, by regulation, for the proper handling of such materials, so as to prevent them from putting at risk the health and security of their employees and visitors.
(5) The entrance of persons wearing hoods, masks, costumes, or having their face otherwise covered or concealed shall not be allowed. Excepted from this prohibition established in this subsection of this chapter are those persons wearing hoods, masks, costumes or having their face otherwise covered or concealed due to any activity previously authorized by the government dependency, such as exhibition fairs or seasonal festivities. In such cases, however, the persons who are going to access the dependency wearing a costume shall first identify themselves.
Excepted from this provision are undercover agents and/or informers of law enforcement agencies who are required to protect their identity.
(b) All public demonstrations shall be held in those adjacent zones recognized as traditional public forums, such as sidewalks, streets, town squares and parks, or public forums designated by law or regulation.
(c) When the public property so allows, the directors of the government dependencies shall place these minimum security norms on visible signs at all public access entrances to facilitate knowledge thereof by the citizens.
History —Apr. 29, 2008, No. 46, § 4.