reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 99 - Reserved sections › § 7–2301. (Perm). Definitions

§ 7–2301(Perm). Definitions.
As used in this chapter the term:
(1) “Communicable disease” means that term as it is defined in § 7-132(2).
(1A) “District of Columbia response plan” means the District of Columbia’s state plan for public emergency preparedness and prevention prepared pursuant to § 201 of the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. § 5121) and § 7-2302.
(1B) “Health care provider” means any person or entity who provides health care services, including hospitals, medical clinics and officers, special care facilities, medical laboratories, physicians, pharmacists, dentists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered and other nurses, paramedics, emergency medical or laboratory technicians, and ambulance and emergency medical workers.
(2) “Mayor” means the Mayor of the District of Columbia or his or her designated agent.
(3) “Public emergency” means any disaster, catastrophe, or emergency situation where the health, safety, or welfare of persons in the District of Columbia is threatened by reason of the actual or imminent consequences within the District of Columbia of:
(A) Enemy attack, sabotage or other hostile action;
(B) Severe and unanticipated resource shortage;
(C) Fire;
(D) Flood, earthquake, or other serious act of nature;
(E) Serious civil disorder;
(F) Any serious industrial, nuclear, or transportation accident;
(G) Explosion, conflagration, power failure;
(H) Injurious environmental contamination which threatens or causes damage to life, health, or property; or
(I) Outbreak of a communicable disease that threatens or causes damage to life, health, or property.
(4) “Resource” means, but is not limited to, natural gas, heating fuel, automotive fuel, electricity, water, and food.
(Mar. 5, 1981, D.C. Law 3-149, § 2, 27 DCR 4886; Oct. 17, 2002, D.C. Law 14-194, §§ 202(a), 903(a), 49 DCR 5306.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 6-1501.
Section References
This section is referenced in § 2-534, § 5-132.04, § 7-2361.01, and § 8-634.01.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 14-194, in par. (1), substituted “District of Columbia response plan” for “Emergency operations plan”.
D.C. Law 14-194 redesignated par. (1) as par. (1A); added a new par. (1); in par. (1A), substituted “District of Columbia response plan” for “Emergency operations plan”; added par. (1B); made nonsubstantive changes in pars. (3)(G) and (3)(H); and added par. (3)(I).
Mayor's Orders
Establishment of the Mayor’s Emergency Preparedness Council, see Mayor’s Order 2002-1, February 1, 2002 ( 49 DCR 896).
Amendment of Mayor’s Order 2002-1, dated January 2, 2002, Establishment of the Mayor’s Emergency Preparedness Council (EPC), see Mayor’s Order 2003-121, August 15, 2003 ( 50 DCR 7246).
Declaration of Public Emergency, see Mayor’s Order 2003-135, September 17, 2003 ( 50 DCR 8294).
Declaration of Termination of Public Emergency, see Mayor’s Order 2003-139, September 29, 2003 ( 50 DCR 9958).
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 99 - Reserved sections › § 7–2306. (Perm). Duration of emergency executive order; extension; publication of order; regional programs and agreements

§ 7–2306(Perm). Duration of emergency executive order; extension; publication of order; regional programs and agreements.
(a) An emergency executive order, or a public health emergency executive order, issued by the Mayor shall be effective for a period of no more than 15 calendar days from the day it is signed by the Mayor, but may be rescinded in whole or in part by the Mayor within that period should the Mayor determine that the public emergency no longer exists, or no longer warrants the part rescinded.
(b) An emergency executive order, or a public health emergency executive order, may be extended for up to an additional 15-day period, only upon request by the Mayor for, and the adoption of, an emergency act by the Council of the District of Columbia.
(c) Should extenuating circumstances, such as death, destruction or other perilous conditions prohibit the convening of at least two-thirds of the members of the Council of the District of Columbia for consideration of emergency legislation, the Mayor shall make a reasonable attempt to consult with those members of the Council of the District of Columbia not affected by death, destruction, or other perilous conditions, after which the Mayor may extend the emergency executive order for up to 15 days.
(d) Upon the issuance of any emergency executive order, or a public health emergency executive order, as soon as practicable given the condition of the emergency, the order shall be published in the District of Columbia Register, in 2 daily newspapers of general circulation in the District of Columbia, and shall be posted in such public places in the District of Columbia as the Mayor determines by regulation.
(e) The Mayor may adopt and implement such rules and regulations as the Mayor finds necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, pursuant to the District of Columbia Administrative Procedure Act (§ 2-501 et seq.).
(f) The Mayor may join or enter into, on behalf of the District of Columbia government, regional programs, and agreements with the federal government, neighboring states, and political subdivisions thereof, for the coordination of disaster preparedness programs.
(Mar. 5, 1981, D.C. Law 3-149, § 7, 27 DCR 4886; Oct. 17, 2002, D.C. Law 14-194, § 903(d), 49 DCR 5306.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 6-1506.
Section References
This section is referenced in § 7-2304.01.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 14-194, in subsec. (a), substituted “An emergency executive order, or a public health emergency executive order,” for “Any emergency executive order”; in subsec. (b), substituted “An emergency executive order, or a public health emergency executive order,” for “An emergency executive order”; and in subsec. (d), substituted “any emergency executive order, or a public health emergency executive order,” for “any emergency executive order”.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 1 - Governmental Powers Generally; Citizenship; Domicile; Rights of People (§§ 1 — 19) › § 1 - Governmental powers generally

The Government of Puerto Rico has the following rights over persons within its limits, to be exercised in the cases and in the manner provided by law:
(1) To punish for crime.
(2) To imprison or confine for the protection of the public peace or health, or of individual life or safety.
(3) To establish custody and restraint of persons suffering from mental alienation, of drunkards, and other persons of unsound mind.
(4) To establish custody and restraint of paupers for the purpose of their maintenance.
(5) To establish custody and restraint of minors unprovided for by parents or natural guardians, for the purposes of their education, reformation and maintenance.
(6) To require services of persons, with or without compensation, in militia duty; in jury duty; as witnesses; as city, town or village officers; in maintaining the public peace; in enforcing the service of process; in protecting life and property from fire, pestilence, wreck and flood; and in such other cases as are provided by law.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 1 - Governmental Powers Generally; Citizenship; Domicile; Rights of People (§§ 1 — 19) › § 2 - Right to property

The original and ultimate right to all property, real and personal, within the limits of Puerto Rico, and not belonging to the United States is in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 1 - Governmental Powers Generally; Citizenship; Domicile; Rights of People (§§ 1 — 19) › § 3 - Reversion of property to Commonwealth

Whenever the title to any property fails for want of heirs, or next of kin, it reverts to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. All property within the limits of Puerto Rico, which does not belong to any person belongs to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 1 - Governmental Powers Generally; Citizenship; Domicile; Rights of People (§§ 1 — 19) › § 4 - Acquisition of property by taxation

The government of Puerto Rico or any civil division thereof may acquire property by taxation in the modes authorized by law.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 1 - Governmental Powers Generally; Citizenship; Domicile; Rights of People (§§ 1 — 19) › § 5 - Acquisition of property for public use

The government of Puerto Rico may acquire or authorize others to acquire title to property, real or personal, for public use in the cases and in the mode provided by law.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 1 - Governmental Powers Generally; Citizenship; Domicile; Rights of People (§§ 1 — 19) › § 6 - Removal of intruders on waste or ungranted lands; adverse possession

If any person, under any pretence of any claim inconsistent with the jurisdiction of the government of Puerto Rico, intrudes upon any of the waste or ungranted lands of Puerto Rico, the Fiscal (District Attorney) of the judicial district in which such lands are situated must immediately report the same to the governor, who shall direct the Secretary of Justice to take such proceedings as may be necessary to remove the intruder. Title to Commonwealth land shall not be acquired by adverse possession.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 1 - Governmental Powers Generally; Citizenship; Domicile; Rights of People (§§ 1 — 19) › § 7 - Citizenship

The citizens of Puerto Rico are:
(1) All persons who have the nationality and are citizens of the United States and residents within the jurisdiction of the territory of Puerto Rico shall be citizens of Puerto Rico.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 10; Nov. 17, 1997, No. 132, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 1 - Governmental Powers Generally; Citizenship; Domicile; Rights of People (§§ 1 — 19) › § 8 - Domicile

Every person has in law a domicile. In determining the place of domicile the following rules are to be observed:
(1) It is the place where one habitually resides when not called elsewhere for labor or other special or temporary purpose, and to which he returns in seasons of repose.
(2) There can only be one domicile.
(3) With respect to the jurisdiction of the courts a domicile cannot be lost until another is gained.
(4) The domicile of unemancipated minor children is the conjugal domicile of their parents or that of the parent having “the custody” in the event only one of the parents has it.
(5) The domicile of the wife is presumptively the same as that of the husband and vice versa. During a divorce suit or when the spouses are in fact living separately, there is acknowledged the right of each spouse to have his or her own domicile.
(6) The domicile of an unmarried minor subject to guardianship is the same as that of his tutor.
(7) Domicile can be changed only by the union of act and intent.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 11; June 2, 1976, No. 110, p. 310.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 1 - Governmental Powers Generally; Citizenship; Domicile; Rights of People (§§ 1 — 19) › § 9 - Freedom of religion

The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination shall forever be guaranteed, and no person shall be denied any civil or political right or privilege in Puerto Rico on account of his opinions concerning religion, but the liberty of conscience hereby secured shall not be construed to dispense with oaths or affirmations, excuse acts of licentiousness by bigamous or polygamous marriages or otherwise, or justify actions inconsistent with the good order, peace and safety of Puerto Rico, or opposed to the civil authority of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or of the United States. No person shall be required to attend any place of worship or support any ministry, religious sect or denomination against his consent, nor shall any preference be given by law to any religion, denomination or mode of worship.
History —Feb. 27, 1902, p. 274, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 1 - Governmental Powers Generally; Citizenship; Domicile; Rights of People (§§ 1 — 19) › § 10 - Searches and seizures

The right of people to be secure in their persons, papers, homes and effects, against unreasonable searches or seizures, shall not be violated and no warrant to search any place or seize any personal thing shall be issued without describing the place or person to be searched and the thing to be seized or without probable cause supported by oath or affirmation reduced to writing.
History —Feb. 27, 1902, p. 274, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 1 - Governmental Powers Generally; Citizenship; Domicile; Rights of People (§§ 1 — 19) › § 11 - Freedom of speech

Freedom of speech shall not be impaired and every person in Puerto Rico shall be free to speak, write or publish whatever he will on any subject, being responsible, however, for all abuse of that liberty.
History —Feb. 27, 1902, p. 274, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 1 - Governmental Powers Generally; Citizenship; Domicile; Rights of People (§§ 1 — 19) › § 12 - Peaceable assembly; petitions for redress

The people of Puerto Rico shall have the right peaceably to assemble for the common good and to apply to those invested with the powers of government for redress of grievances by petition or remonstrance.
History —Feb. 27, 1902, p. 274, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 1 - Governmental Powers Generally; Citizenship; Domicile; Rights of People (§§ 1 — 19) › § 13 - Civil rights—Discrimination in public places, businesses, transportation and housing

(a) No person shall be denied in Puerto Rico any access, service, and equal treatment in public places and businesses and in the means of transportation because of political, religious, race, color or sex issues, or for of any other reason not applicable to all person in general.
(b) The publication, circulation or distribution of any order, notice or advertisement tending to prevent, prohibit, or discourage the patronage, or the attendance at public places and businesses and the means of transportation, because of politics, religion, race, color or sex, shall be illegal.
(c) No person having the right to sell, lease or sublease a dwelling shall refuse to grant an option for selling, or to sell, lease or sublease said dwelling to any person or group of persons because of politics, religion, race, color or sex.
(d) The publication or circulation of advertisements, notices or any other forms of disclosure, establishing limitations or requirements regarding political affiliation, religious ideas, race, color or sex, as a condition for the acquisition of living quarters, or for the granting of loans for the construction of dwelling shall be illegal.
(e) No natural or juridical person engaged in the business of granting loans for the construction of dwelling may refuse to render such service to any other person or group of persons for political, religious, racial, color or sexual reasons.
History —May 13, 1943, No. 131, p. 404, § 1; July 13, 1960, No. 125, p. 348, § 1; May 27, 1998, No. 75, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 1 - Governmental Powers Generally; Citizenship; Domicile; Rights of People (§§ 1 — 19) › § 14 - Civil rights—Penalties; actions for damages; punitive damages

Any person who shall deliberately or by false reports or by any subterfuge violate any of the provisions hereof shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by imprisonment in jail for a term of not less than thirty (30) days nor more than ninety (90) days, or by both penalties, in the discretion of the court.
Any person aggrieved by any violation of §§ 13—18 of this title may bring the corresponding civil action in a competent court for the damages such violation may have caused him.
If the remedy is granted, the court shall, in addition to the proper compensation for losses and damages caused, impose the payment of another indemnity as punitive damages.
History —May 13, 1943, No. 131, p. 404, § 2; July 13, 1960, No. 125, p. 348, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 1 - Governmental Powers Generally; Citizenship; Domicile; Rights of People (§§ 1 — 19) › § 15 - Civil rights—Cancellation of lease, cession, grant, or contract

Whenever it is judicially found that any person who is operating a place for public accommodation, or any public business, under lease, assignment, grant, or contract with the Government of Puerto Rico, the municipal government or any agency thereof, has more than once violated any of the provisions of §§ 13—18 of this title in the course of operating such business, such lease, assignment, grant, or contract shall be immediately cancelled. No similar lease, assignment, grant, or contract shall be extended to such person by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or a municipal government or any agency or instrumentality thereof within the year following such cancellation.
History —May 13, 1943, No. 131, p. 404, § 3; July 13, 1960, No. 125, p. 348, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 1 - Governmental Powers Generally; Citizenship; Domicile; Rights of People (§§ 1 — 19) › § 16 - Civil rights—Cooperation of public officials

It shall be the duty of the Secretary of Justice of Puerto Rico, and the judges, prosecuting attorneys, and other officers of the courts of Puerto Rico, and of the members of police force of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, to cooperate in making effective the enforcement and observance of §§ 13—18 of this title. If any member of the police force, marshal, deputy marshal, prosecuting attorney or judge shall obtain knowledge or information concerning any violation of the provisions of §§ 13—18 of this title, he shall investigate with diligence and seek to obtain evidence of such violation, and shall swear out the proper complaint before competent authority against the persons guilty of such violation.
History —May 13, 1943, No. 131, p. 404, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 1 - Governmental Powers Generally; Citizenship; Domicile; Rights of People (§§ 1 — 19) › § 17 - Civil rights—Revocation of franchise or license by Public Service Commission

The Public Service Commission of Puerto Rico shall revoke any franchise or license issued pursuant to the laws of Puerto Rico, whenever it shall be judicially determined that the person operating a means of public transportation under such franchise or license has violated more than once, in the course of business, any of the provisions of §§ 13—18 of this title. No similar franchise or license shall be issued to such person within the year following such revocation.
History —May 13, 1943, No. 131, p. 404, § 5; July 13, 1960, No. 125, p. 348, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 1 - Governmental Powers Generally; Citizenship; Domicile; Rights of People (§§ 1 — 19) › § 18 - Civil rights—Definitions

(1) Person.— As used in §§ 13—18 of this title, the term “person” shall mean individual, corporation, association, business firm, business trust, or any corporate organization, as well as any agent, proxy, executor, manager, supervisor, employee, or realtor, and it shall include, further, any agency of the Government of Puerto Rico, and the officers, officials, agents, employees, and assignees thereof.
(2) Place for public accommodation/public business.— The phrases “place for public accommodation” and “public business” shall, among other things, mean auditoriums, assembly halls, and other places of public meeting; barber shops, cafes, concert halls, pastry shops, department stores and all wholesale houses, stores, and factories where foodstuffs, medicines, beverages, provisions, merchandise, or services are sold or offered, advertised, or displayed for sale or distribution to the public; parks, stadiums and every other place of amusement and recreation; elevators, dining rooms, hotels, eating houses, inns, theatres, athletic fields, gymnasiums, places where sporting events or competitions are held, and any other place where merchandise, services, or amusements are offered to the public.
(3) Public transportation.— The phrase “public transportation” shall include, among other things, aircraft, ships, boats, hearses, busses, railroads, automobiles, cars, carriages, and any other vehicle offering transportation to the public for pay.
(4) Dwelling.— The term “dwelling” shall mean any building or part thereof used as a residence or for housing human beings.
History —May 13, 1943, No. 131, p. 404, § 6; July 13, 1960, No. 125, p. 348, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 2 - Guarantee of Democratic Rights (§§ 21 — 26) › § 21 - Proposal to the People of Puerto Rico—Content

It is provided that the following Claim for Democratic Rights be submitted to the people of Puerto Rico for their approval:
We, the people of Puerto Rico, solemnly claim that the following democratic rights be guaranteed in our Constitution:
—The inalienable right to determine our political status, freely and democratically.
—The right to choose a status of full political dignity without colonial or territorial subordination to the plenary powers of the Congress.
—The right to vote for the three status alternatives, Commonwealth, Statehood and Independence, based on the sovereignty of the People of Puerto Rico.
—The right that the winning alternative in a status consultation shall require more than half the votes that are cast.
—The right that any consultation on status shall guarantee, under any alternative, our culture, language and identity, which includes our international sports representation.
—The right that any consultation on status shall guarantee, under any alternative, the American citizenship safeguarded by the Constitution of the United States of America.
History —Sept. 17, 1991, No. 85, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 2 - Guarantee of Democratic Rights (§§ 21 — 26) › § 22 - Proposal to the People of Puerto Rico—Meaning

The Guarantee of Democratic Rights Act expresses the feeling of the Legislature of Puerto Rico. The Claim for Democratic Rights contained herein constitutes a claim to the Government of Puerto Rico on the desirability to consecrate them in the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and a Petition to the Congress and to the President of the United States for these rights to be respected when acting on our political status. If it is approved by the people, the Claim for Democratic Rights may only be modified or revoked through consultation with the people and it shall not be affected by the results of the general election.
History —Sept. 17, 1991, No. 85, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 2 - Guarantee of Democratic Rights (§§ 21 — 26) › § 23 - Proposal to the People of Puerto Rico—Referendum

The Claim for Democratic Rights provided by § 21 of this title, shall be submitted for approval to the qualified electors of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in a referendum to be held on December 8, 1991. The ballot shall state that this claim constitutes a petition to the Congress and to the President of the United States.
History —Sept. 17, 1991, No. 85, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 2 - Guarantee of Democratic Rights (§§ 21 — 26) › § 24 - Proposal to the People of Puerto Rico—Nature

The Commonwealth and Statehood alternatives included in the Claim for Democratic Rights which shall be submitted to the people on December 8, 1991, are forms of status of permanent union with the United States.
The Claim for Democratic Rights is not a claim for a change of status. The result of the referendum shall not be interpreted to be in favor or against any status alternative or political party. Neither shall it be interpreted as a petition for separation, nor modification of the present status, nor of the use of the two (2) flags, two (2) anthems and two (2) languages as provided in our legal system.
History —Sept. 17, 1991, No. 85, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 2 - Guarantee of Democratic Rights (§§ 21 — 26) › § 25 - Notice—Proposal

The Secretary of State shall remit a certified copy of this act and its English language translation to the President of the United States and to all the members of the Congress of the United States.
History —Sept. 17, 1991, No. 85, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 2 - Guarantee of Democratic Rights (§§ 21 — 26) › § 26 - Notice—Result of referendum

The Secretary of State shall remit a certified copy of the results of the referendum provided by § 21 of this title, to the Governor of Puerto Rico, to the President of the United States and to the members of the Congress of the United States.
History —Sept. 17, 1991, No. 85, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 3 - Flag; Coat of Arms; Great Seal; Anthem; and Instruments (§§ 31 — 40b) › § 31 - Flag of the Commonwealth

The flag of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall be the one traditionally known heretofore as the Puerto Rican Flag, and which is rectangular in form, with five alternate horizontal stripes, three red and two white, and having next to the staff a blue equilateral triangle with a five-point white star. On the vertical side this triangle stretches along the entire width of the flag.
History —July 24, 1952, No. 1, p. 2, § 1, eff. July 25, 1952.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 3 - Flag; Coat of Arms; Great Seal; Anthem; and Instruments (§§ 31 — 40b) › § 32 - Flag of the Commonwealth—Use as political emblem prohibited

The use of the flag of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as an emblem or insignia of political parties or candidates in the election ballot is hereby prohibited.
History —July 24, 1952, No. 1, p. 2, § 2, eff. July 25, 1952.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 3 - Flag; Coat of Arms; Great Seal; Anthem; and Instruments (§§ 31 — 40b) › § 33 - Flag of the Commonwealth—Regulations for use; penalty

To the end of insuring the adequate use of the flag, the Secretary of State is hereby empowered to promulgate regulations for the use of same, and any violation of such regulations shall constitute a misdemeanor. The Secretary of State is further empowered to draft and promulgate the words for the official salute to the Flag.
History —July 24, 1952, No. 1, p. 2, § 3; Jan. 30, 1976; No. 1, p. 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 3 - Flag; Coat of Arms; Great Seal; Anthem; and Instruments (§§ 31 — 40b) › § 33a - Official Salute to the Flag

(a) The text of the Official Salute to the Flag of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall be the following:
“I hereby swear before the Flag of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to honor the nation it symbolizes, the people it represents and the ideals it embodies of liberty, justice and dignity.”
(b) The Official Salute to the Flag of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall be recited on the following occasions:
(1) At those official and civic activities that because of their nature so merit.
(2) On those occasions in which the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico so determines.
(3) On those occasions in which the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico so determines.
(4) At all acts of an official or civic nature at which the oath to the flag of the United States of America or of any other nation is recited.
History —July 24, 1952, No. 1, p. 2, added as § 4 on Sept. 16, 2004, No. 341, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 3 - Flag; Coat of Arms; Great Seal; Anthem; and Instruments (§§ 31 — 40b) › § 33b - Simultaneous display of the U.S. and Puerto Rican flags

The three (3) branches of Commonwealth Government, the municipalities, commonwealth and municipal public corporations, as well as any official of said entities in the discharge of his/her official duties shall display the flags of the United States of America and Puerto Rico simultaneously and with equal prominence in any building under their ownership or control.
History —July 24, 1952, No. 1, p. 2, added as § 5 on Aug. 26, 2005, No. 93, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 3 - Flag; Coat of Arms; Great Seal; Anthem; and Instruments (§§ 31 — 40b) › § 33c - Simultaneous display of U.S. and Puerto Rican flags—Rules

The regulations to be promulgated by the Department of State on the use of the flag, as provided in § 33 of this title, shall include the following provisions, without it being a limitation upon the authority of the Secretary to promulgate necessary additional rules:
(a) Any display of the flag of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico by an agency of any of the three (3) branches of the State Government, the municipal government, or by any public corporation shall be performed jointly and with equality of prominence with the flag of the United States of America and vice-versa, subject to the rules of protocol established by the Laws of the United States, as set forth in Title 4 of the United States Code, §§ 1—10.
(b) For display in front of public buildings or from any part thereof, both the flag of the United States of America and the Puerto Rican flag shall be displayed on adjacent staffs and at the same height. They shall be placed in such a way that the upper edges are displayed to the peak of their respective mast (unless it has been ordered to display them at half-mast as a symbol of mourning), and they shall be kept from becoming tangled on equipment or dragging over surfaces. When not unfurled on flagpoles, both flags shall be placed in such a manner that they are at the same height, completely visible and do not tangle with or drag over any equipment or surfaces. The United States flag shall always be placed to the right of the Puerto Rican flag.
(c) Flagpoles that are designated for the display of the United States flag and the Puerto Rican flag at government dependencies shall be used exclusively for such purpose. No other flag shall be displayed between the United States flag and the Puerto Rican flag. Whenever the flags of municipalities, agencies, other states, countries, entities or organizations are displayed, they shall be placed to the left of the Puerto Rican flag, following the order of protocol established by regulations.
(d) In all official ceremonies for unveiling statues and monuments, or for the dedication of buildings to honor the memory of illustrious persons, both flags shall be displayed in equal conditions. Neither flag shall ever be used as a veil or covering for any monument. In all ceremonies or parades of the National Guard, the Puerto Rico Police, or any other law enforcement agency of Puerto Rico, both flags shall be displayed and carried together.
(e) All government and municipal entities, agencies, public corporations and officers who use any or both flags in official functions shall do so pursuant to the regulations that govern the use and display of each flag.
History —July 24, 1952, No. 1, p. 2, added as § 6 on Aug. 26, 2005, No. 93, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 3 - Flag; Coat of Arms; Great Seal; Anthem; and Instruments (§§ 31 — 40b) › § 34 - Coat of arms of the Commonwealth

The coat of arms of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall be “a green shield” bearing a silver lamb resting upon a red book and bearing a flag with cross and banner, as shown in the device of Saint John, and having for border castles, lions, flags and crosses of Jerusalem, and having for a device an F and Y with its crowns and yoke and arrows, and a motto around it as follows: Joannes est nomen ejvs.
History —Aug. 8, 1952, No. 7, p. 130, § 1; June 3, 1976, No. 142, p. 418, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 3 - Flag; Coat of Arms; Great Seal; Anthem; and Instruments (§§ 31 — 40b) › § 35 - Coat of arms of the Commonwealth—Use as political emblem prohibited

The use of the coat of arms of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as an emblem or insignia of political parties or candidates in the election ballot is hereby prohibited.
History —Aug. 8, 1952, No. 7, p. 130, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 3 - Flag; Coat of Arms; Great Seal; Anthem; and Instruments (§§ 31 — 40b) › § 36 - Coat of arms of the Commonwealth—Regulations for use; penalty

To the end of insuring the adequate use of the coat of arms of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Secretary of State is hereby empowered to promulgate regulations for the use of same, and any violation of such regulations shall constitute a misdemeanor.
History —Aug. 8, 1952, No. 7, p. 130, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 3 - Flag; Coat of Arms; Great Seal; Anthem; and Instruments (§§ 31 — 40b) › § 37 - Great seal of the Commonwealth

The great seal of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall bear the above coat of arms.
History —Aug. 8, 1952, No. 7, p. 130, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 3 - Flag; Coat of Arms; Great Seal; Anthem; and Instruments (§§ 31 — 40b) › § 38 - Anthem of the Commonwealth

The anthem of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall be the musical composition known as “La Borinqueña,” rendered in the tempo of a hymn.
History —July 24, 1952, No. 2, p. 2, § 1, eff. July 25, 1952.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 3 - Flag; Coat of Arms; Great Seal; Anthem; and Instruments (§§ 31 — 40b) › § 39 - Anthem of the Commonwealth—Lyrics of anthem

The lyrics of the danza “La Borinqueña” by don Manuel Fernández Juncos, as well as the music of said danza, are hereby adopted as the Anthem of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Such lyrics read as follows:
“La tierra de Borinquen donde he nacido yo, es un jardín florido de mágico primor. Un cielo siempre nítido le sirve de dosel y dan arrullo plácido las olas a sus pies. Cuando a sus playas llegó Colón exclamó, lleno de admiración: !Oh! !Oh! !Oh! Esta es la linda tierra que busco yo; es Borinquen la hija, la hija del mar y el sol, del mar y el sol, del mar y el sol, del mar y el sol, del mar y el sol.”
History —July 24, 1952, No. 2, p. 3, § 2; June 27, 1977, No. 123, p. 337, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 3 - Flag; Coat of Arms; Great Seal; Anthem; and Instruments (§§ 31 — 40b) › § 39a - The anthems of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the United States of America

(a) The anthems of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the United States of America shall always be executed with their original and official music as a hymn, at every official or solemn public act and ceremony of the Government of Puerto Rico. This shall be taken into consideration in any other activity, public or private, where it is desired to render respectful homage to said official anthems. The original and official musical arrangement for the anthem of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is that by Ramón Collado, as interpreted in the proclamation acts of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico on July 25, 1952, whose musical score for piano and band shall be part of §§ 38-39a of this title.
(b) The Secretary of Department of State is hereby empowered to promulgate, through regulations, all matters related to the use of the anthems of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the United States of America in official acts and ceremonies of the Government of Puerto Rico.
History —July 24, 1952, No. 2, p. 3, added as § 3 on Sept. 13, 1996, No. 221, §§ 1, 2; Nov. 13, 2002, No. 260, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 3 - Flag; Coat of Arms; Great Seal; Anthem; and Instruments (§§ 31 — 40b) › § 40a - National instruments—Declaration

The Cuatro, Pandero de Plena, and Barril de Bomba are hereby declared as the National Instruments of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —June 27, 2003, No. 154, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 3 - Flag; Coat of Arms; Great Seal; Anthem; and Instruments (§§ 31 — 40b) › § 40b - Ballets de San Juan Trust—Cultural heritage

The Ballets de San Juan Trust is hereby declared as intangible cultural heritage of the People of Puerto Rico. This designation aims to establish as public policy that both private and public institutions shall seek to procure their preservation, protection, promotion, and strengthening through the appropriate means for the benefit of our Island’s future generations.
History Sept. 29, 2012, No. 291, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 5 - Official Languages (§§ 51-55 — 60) › § 59 - Spanish and English; official languages

Spanish and English are established as official languages of the Government of Puerto Rico. Both languages may be used, indistinctively, in all departments, municipalities or other political subdivisions, agencies, public corporations, offices and government dependencies of the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary Branches of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, pursuant to the provisions of §§ 59—59f of this title, or by that which is provided by a special law.
History —Jan. 28, 1993, No. 1, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 5 - Official Languages (§§ 51-55 — 60) › § 59a - Translations and interpretations

When necessary, written translations and oral interpretations shall be made from one language to the other so that the interested parties can understand any proceeding or communication in said languages.
History —Jan. 28, 1993, No. 1, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 5 - Official Languages (§§ 51-55 — 60) › § 59b - Employment of interpreters and translators

The departments, municipalities or other political subdivisions, agencies, public corporations, offices and government dependencies of the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary Branches of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall employ competent interpreters and translators, when necessary, to carry out the provisions of §§ 59—59f of this title.
History —Jan. 28, 1993, No. 1, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 5 - Official Languages (§§ 51-55 — 60) › § 59c - Documents

No public or private document shall be annulled on account of being written in one or the other of the official languages of Puerto Rico, pursuant to the provisions of §§ 59—59f of this title, or by that which is provided by a special law.
History —Jan. 28, 1993, No. 1, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 5 - Official Languages (§§ 51-55 — 60) › § 59d - Exceptions

The departments, instrumentalities and public corporations, municipalities or other political subdivisions, agencies, offices and dependencies of the Government of Puerto Rico may use in their business languages other than the official ones when deemed convenient or necessary.
History —Jan. 28, 1993, No. 1, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 5 - Official Languages (§§ 51-55 — 60) › § 59e - Regulation

The Legislature and the Judiciary Branch shall adopt, if necessary, the regulations that each deem pertinent and convenient to give effectiveness to the public policy established in §§ 59—59f of this title, in their respective internal procedures.
History —Jan. 28, 1993, No. 1, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 5 - Official Languages (§§ 51-55 — 60) › § 59f - Constitutional rights

The provisions of §§ 59—59f of this title do not limit the constitutional rights of any person in any way, on account of the language which is vernacular to him/her, or used by him/her as a means of expression.
History —Jan. 28, 1993, No. 1, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 5 - Official Languages (§§ 51-55 — 60) › § 60 - Licenses and certificates; issuance in both official languages

The Secretaries of the Department of Transportation and Public Works, the Department of Health and the Department of Education are hereby directed to amend the regulations so that driver’s licenses, marriage licenses, and the various professional qualification certificates issued by the Department of Education, among others, of the directors and teachers be issued in both official languages of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —Aug. 28, 1997, No. 107, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 6 - Standard Time (§§ 61 — 62) › § 61 - Standard time

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3(a) of Public Law 89-387 of the United States Congress of April 13, 1966, entitled “uniform Time Act of 1966”, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is hereby exempted from compliance with the provisions of said Act for the establishment of a solar light saving time.
History —Apr. 26, 1968, No. 24, p. 42, § 1; Aug. 30, 2000, No. 243, § 1; Mar. 30, 2001, No. 5, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 6 - Standard Time (§§ 61 — 62) › § 62 - Time to be observed

The federal hourly pattern that applies to this zone, pursuant to what is established by the United States Department of Transportation, shall be observed throughout the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. This is the Atlantic Standard Time based on the hour corresponding to 60 degrees longitude, west of Greenwich.
History —Apr. 26, 1968, No. 24, p. 41, § 2; July 23, 1974, No. 197, Part 2, p. 80; Aug. 30, 2000, No. 243, § 1; Mar. 30, 2001, No. 5, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 7 - Legal Holidays (§§ 71 — 85) › § 71 - Holidays generally

Holidays, within the meaning of this Code, include Sundays; the first of January; the sixth of January; the third Monday of January; the third Monday of February; the twenty-second of March; Good Friday; the last Monday of May; the fourth of July; the twenty-fifth of July; the first Monday of September, to be known as Labor Day; the eleventh of November; the nineteenth of November, to be known as the “Discovery of Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican Culture Day”; the fourth Thursday of November; the twenty-fifth of December; every day on which elections are held in the Island; and every day set forth by the Governor of Puerto Rico or by the Legislative Assembly. Should any of the aforesaid days fall on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be a holiday.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 387; July 29, 2014, No. 111, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 7 - Legal Holidays (§§ 71 — 85) › § 72 - Computation of time; holiday as last day

The time in which any act provided by law is to be done is computed by excluding the first day, and including the last, unless the last day is a holiday, and then it is also excluded.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 388.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 7 - Legal Holidays (§§ 71 — 85) › § 73 - Day of performance falling upon holiday

Whenever any act is appointed by law or contract to be performed upon a particular day, which day falls upon a holiday, such act may be performed upon the next business day with the same effect as if it had been performed upon the day appointed.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 389.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 7 - Legal Holidays (§§ 71 — 85) › § 74 - January 6

The sixth day of January of each year is hereby declared to be an official and legal holiday in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —Mar. 27, 1931, No. 3, p. 138, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 7 - Legal Holidays (§§ 71 — 85) › § 75 - Repealed. Act July 29, 2014, No. 111, § 6a, effective July 29, 2014

History —Mar. 15, 1939, No. 3, p. 292, § 1, eff. 90 days after Mar. 15, 1939; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 7 - Legal Holidays (§§ 71 — 85) › § 76 - Second Sunday of April; Antonio R. Barceló Day

The second Sunday of April of 1941, and of each succeeding year is hereby declared a legal holiday, and such day shall be known as Antonio R. Barceló Day.
History —Apr. 18, 1940, No. 42, p. 378, § 1, eff. 90 days after Apr. 18, 1940.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 7 - Legal Holidays (§§ 71 — 85) › §§ 77, 78 - Repealed. Act July 29, 2014, No. 111, §§ 6b, 6d, effective July 29, 2014

History —Apr. 9, 1925, No. 3, p. 106, § 1; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 7 - Legal Holidays (§§ 71 — 85) › § 78 - July 17; Luis Muñoz Rivera Day [Repealed]

History —Dec. 1, 1917, No. 47, p. 354, § 1, eff. July 17, 1918; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 7 - Legal Holidays (§§ 71 — 85) › § 79 - July 25; Day of the Constitution

July 25 of each year is hereby declared a legal holiday designated as Day of the Constitution.
History —Aug. 1, 1952, No. 1, p. 112, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 7 - Legal Holidays (§§ 71 — 85) › § 80 - Repealed. Act July 29, 2014, No. 111, § 6c, effective July 29, 2014

History —May 6, 1938, No. 97, p. 222, § 1; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 7 - Legal Holidays (§§ 71 — 85) › § 81 - First Monday of September; Santiago Iglesias Pantín Day

In addition to the declaration of Congress setting apart the first Monday of September of each year as Labor Day, the first Monday of September of 1940, and of each subsequent year is hereby declared a holiday consecrated to the memory of the eminent citizen, Santiago Iglesias Pantín.
History —Apr. 18, 1940, No. 40, p. 372, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 7 - Legal Holidays (§§ 71 — 85) › § 82 - Repealed. Act July 29, 2014, No. 111, § 6e, effective July 29, 2014

History —Aug. 18, 1913, J.R. No. 31, p. 121, § 1; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 7 - Legal Holidays (§§ 71 — 85) › § 83 - November 19; Discovery of Puerto Rico

To designate November 19 as a holiday in Puerto Rico, to be known as the “Discovery of Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican Culture Day”.
History —May 6, 1938, No. 91, p. 202, § 1; July 29, 2014, No. 111, § 4.