reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 21A - Bill of Rights for Persons with Disabilities (§§ 512 — 512m) › § 512k - Other actions and interpretation of laws

The execution of the action authorized by this chapter is independent from any other civil or criminal action, rights or remedy provided by the legislation in effect and none of these provisions shall limit or obstruct the execution of such actions, rights or remedies.
All legislation shall be construed in the manner that is most beneficial to persons with disabilities and all branches of the government and natural or juridical persons, upon interpreting any legislation, shall use a liberal and non-restrictive interpretation in favor of such persons.
It shall be the duty of the courts, departments, agencies, instrumentalities, public corporations, municipalities and any other entities of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to liberally interpret all statutes, regulations or ordinances pertaining to the rights of persons with disabilities for these to conform to the principles set forth in the Constitutions of the United States of America and of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for the social purpose of protecting, defending and vindicating the rights of persons with disabilities, including those cases and claims which have been filed at the courts or administrative forums within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico prior to the approval of this act and to its ruling becoming final and binding.
History —Aug. 31, 2004, No. 238, § 15.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 21A - Bill of Rights for Persons with Disabilities (§§ 512 — 512m) › § 512l - Interagency liaisons

Every department, agency, instrumentality, municipality, and corporation of the Government of Puerto Rico shall designate an interagency liaison for the development and implementation of the Strategic Plan of the “Bill of Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” and shall notify the name of such liaison to the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities. The liaison shall maintain communication with officials from the Office of the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities and shall provide them with the information requested. The interagency liaison shall be responsible for:
(a) Developing and implementing the strategic plan required by the Bill of Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in collaboration with the officials from his/her entity.
(b) Periodically attending meetings on issues relative to the implementation of the Bill of Rights of Persons with Disabilities as these may be convened by the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities.
(c) Attending training on issues related to developmental deficiencies, among others, offered by the Office of the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities, so as to acquire more knowledge.
(d) Developing training within his/her work setting, in coordination with the Office of the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities, intended for agencies and municipalities.
(e) Providing, on a semiannual basis, to the Office of the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities, a report itemizing the strategies, activities, and actions carried out to achieve the implementation of strategic plans.
(f) Notifying the Office of the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities of any changes, whether administrative or programmatic, which might affect the implementation of strategic plans.
(g) Collaborating with the Office of the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities in the briefing process on strategic plans of the Bill of Rights, as well as training and technical assistance therefor.
(h) Disclosing the Strategic Plan for Persons with Disabilities in the geographical area in which he/she serves.
(i) Gathering all the information related to the implementation, results and effectiveness of all the programs, benefits, services, and activities available for persons with disabilities in his/her corresponding government entity to be, in turn, included in the periodic reports submitted to the Legislative Assembly by virtue of Section 2 of Act No. 84-2003, as amended.
History —Aug. 31, 2004, No. 238, added as § 16 on Aug. 9, 2008, No. 208, § 1; Feb. 29, 2012, No. 44, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 21A - Bill of Rights for Persons with Disabilities (§§ 512 — 512m) › § 512m - Designation of the Working Committee

The Advocate for Persons with Disabilities may appoint a Working Committee for the purpose of collaborating with his/her team in the briefing, evaluation, and follow-up of the work plans. Said Committee may be constituted by officials from other agencies, private citizens, and college students, among others, who have the knowledge and experience in offering their services to persons with disabilities.
History —Aug. 31, 2004, No. 238, added as § 17 on Aug. 9, 2008, No. 208, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 22 - Prohibition of Discrimination Against Persons Who Are HIV Positive or Who Have AIDS (§§ 521 — 521j) › § 521 - Statement of principles

It is the public policy of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, to ensure every person, that they shall not be discriminated against because they have been diagnosed as HIV positive, or because they suffer from the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). In the case of juridical persons or family groups, they shall not be discriminated against because they have in their registry or among their clients, persons who are HIV positive or who suffer from the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
History —June 10, 1995, No. 52, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 22 - Prohibition of Discrimination Against Persons Who Are HIV Positive or Who Have AIDS (§§ 521 — 521j) › § 521a - Definitions

The following terms shall have the meaning stated hereinbelow:
(1) Person.— Means every natural or juridical person, and any private or public institution.
(2) Public or private institution.— Means every association, society, federation, institute and entity, including all natural or juridical persons, as well as the Commonwealth government, any agency, instrumentality or public corporation of Puerto Rico, its municipalities and municipal consortiums that give, offer or render any service, program or activity.
(3) Human Immunodeficiency Virus.— Known by its acronym HIV, is the virus that causes the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
(4) Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.— For the purposes of this chapter, all those who suffer the disease are those who meet the criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control to be defined as AIDS cases.
History —June 10, 1995, No. 52, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 22 - Prohibition of Discrimination Against Persons Who Are HIV Positive or Who Have AIDS (§§ 521 — 521j) › § 521b - Prohibited actions and annulled agreements

No person, by him/herself or through any other, shall impede, obstruct limit or exclude another person who has been diagnosed as HIV positive or who suffers from AIDS, from participating, taking part or enjoying organized programs or activities sponsored, operated, managed or directed by public or private institutions.
Any agreement shall be null ab initio which results in discrimination against, or that requires another person to discriminate against a person who has been diagnosed as HIV positive, or who suffers from the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, in the acquisition or alienation of any good or service, or the conditions of the same, or in the exercise or alienation of a real or obligatory leasehold, or in the granting of a contract, or in the clauses imposed therein, or in the conditions for its issuing.
History —June 10, 1995, No. 52, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 22 - Prohibition of Discrimination Against Persons Who Are HIV Positive or Who Have AIDS (§§ 521 — 521j) › § 521c - Real or personal property

(a) No real right or lease-holder, or with the right to cede possession of real or personal property, shall refuse to transfer said leasehold, or of its option, as the case may be, to any person who has been diagnosed as HIV positive or who suffers from the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
(b) No person shall discriminate against, or establish different conditions, in the terms or conditions of a transaction for the acquisition of the ownership or control, or for the financing of any type of transaction on real or personal property, nor may he/she discriminate against a person for the mere fact of having been diagnosed as HIV positive or for suffering from the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, when granting financing.
History —June 10, 1995, No. 52, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 22 - Prohibition of Discrimination Against Persons Who Are HIV Positive or Who Have AIDS (§§ 521 — 521j) › § 521d - Transportation, recreation, goods and services

It is prohibited for any person to discriminate against, impede, obstruct, limit or exclude access, admission or participation, or membership to a person who has been diagnosed as HIV positive or who suffers from the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, from the acquisition of goods and services gratuitously by purchase, as well as from being part of, or being the third beneficiary of any contract gratuitously or by purchase.
History —June 10, 1995, No. 52, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 22 - Prohibition of Discrimination Against Persons Who Are HIV Positive or Who Have AIDS (§§ 521 — 521j) › § 521e - Educational institutions

The public or private institutions that are dedicated to render educational services, shall not discriminate against qualified persons who have been diagnosed as HIV positive or who suffer from the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
Persons in charge of public or private educational institutions, shall ensure that their services are offered so that there is no discrimination against them.
The Department of Education shall approve the necessary regulations for the implementation of this chapter in all the public schools of Puerto Rico.
History —June 10, 1995, No. 52, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 22 - Prohibition of Discrimination Against Persons Who Are HIV Positive or Who Have AIDS (§§ 521 — 521j) › § 521f - Civil and criminal liability

Any person who violates this chapter, or the regulations approved thereunder, shall incur civil liability as established in § 3023 or §§ 5141 et seq. of Title 31, as the case may be, and to receive the corresponding compensation, which shall not be less than five thousand dollars ($5,000).
The court, or the Department of Consumer Affairs, in its case, shall grant the plaintiff that prevails in an action under this section, the lawyer’s truly earned fees, which represent a compensation comparable to those prevailing in the exercise of the legal profession, plus the incidental expenses of the suit, such as expert’s fees, photocopies, mailing expenses and others. If the plaintiff is represented by a public or private institution that offers legal services free of charge, the fees and costs shall be paid to said institutions.
History —June 10, 1995, No. 52, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 22 - Prohibition of Discrimination Against Persons Who Are HIV Positive or Who Have AIDS (§§ 521 — 521j) › § 521g - Penal liability

Any person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor who:
(a) Having the right to do so legally or contractually, refuses to transfer any real right, or to lease or sublease of a personal property at any level, to any person or group of persons, for having been diagnosed as HIV positive, or who suffers from the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
(b) Discriminates against, or establishes different conditions, in the terms or conditions of a transaction for the acquisition of ownership or the use or for the financing of any kind of transaction on real estate, to another person, for the mere fact of having been diagnosed as a carrier of the HIV virus, or for suffering from the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
(c) Impedes, obstructs, limits or excludes the access, admission or participation of any person in the transportation services, recreation and acquisition of goods and services, for the mere fact of having been diagnosed as a carrier of the HIV virus, or for suffering from the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
(d) Discriminates against persons who are qualified for the rendering of services in an educational institution for having been diagnosed as HIV positive or for suffering from the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
The court may impose a penalty of confinement or house arrest for a term of not more than six (6) months, or community work, restitution, or a fine not greater than five hundred dollars ($500), or any or all of them, at its discretion.
History —June 10, 1995, No. 52, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 22 - Prohibition of Discrimination Against Persons Who Are HIV Positive or Who Have AIDS (§§ 521 — 521j) › § 521h - Preferred calendar

In those cases that are presented under § 521f of this title, they shall be included in a preferred calendar and shall be handled expeditiously.
History —June 10, 1995, No. 52, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 22 - Prohibition of Discrimination Against Persons Who Are HIV Positive or Who Have AIDS (§§ 521 — 521j) › § 521i - Exhaustion of administrative remedies

It shall not be necessary to exhaust the administrative remedies to initiate judicial procedures under this chapter.
History —June 10, 1995, No. 52, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 22 - Prohibition of Discrimination Against Persons Who Are HIV Positive or Who Have AIDS (§§ 521 — 521j) › § 521j - Public health regulations

Nothing that is provided in this chapter shall be understood to repeal, amend or modify any public health act or regulation, nor to impede the Department of Health from carrying out its mission of protecting it.
Compliance of public health laws and regulations, as well as the orders of the Department of Health shall constitute a defense, in any civil or criminal suit filed under this chapter.
The Department of Health shall adopt the necessary regulations for the implementation of this chapter.
History —June 10, 1995, No. 52, § 12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 22A - Bill of Rights for Carriers of HIV/AIDS (§§ 522 — 527) › § 522 - Public policy

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico hereby acknowledges its responsibility to provide, as far as its means and resources allow, adequate conditions for promoting the enjoyment of a full life, as well as their natural human and legal rights, for carriers of the HIV/AIDS virus. It is hereby declared to be public policy to guarantee the following for carriers of the HIV/AIDS virus:
(a) The planning, rendering and availability of services in geographic terms, means of transportation, as well as complementary and alternative resources.
(b) Access to and optimal use of the best health services.
(c) The services and means that help these persons to remain with their families whenever possible. When necessary, a substitute home shall be provided, leaving institutionalization as the last resort.
(d) Respect for their individual rights, limiting the exercise of said rights only when it is necessary for their health and safety, and as a therapeutic measure certified by a duly authorized physician.
(e) The effective enforcement of the rights set forth in the Bill of Rignts of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and of the laws and regulations that may apply.
History —Sept. 2, 2000, No. 349, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 22A - Bill of Rights for Carriers of HIV/AIDS (§§ 522 — 527) › § 523 - Bill of Rights

(a) They shall hereby be guaranteed the effective enforcement of the rights set forth by the laws and the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(b) Every person who is a carrier of the HIV/AIDS virus shall have the right to: Receive clear, exact and scientifically based information about AIDS without any kind of restriction. Carriers of the virus have the right to receive specific information about their health condition.
(c) No one has the right to restrict the freedom or the rights of persons for the sole reason that they are HIV carriers, regardless of their race, nationality, religion, ideology, gender or sexual preference. Neither the State, nor any natural or juridical person shall request information that attempts against the privacy of persons who are HIV carriers, nor shall they establish registers of persons with whom they have had sexual contact.
(d) Right to the best assistance and treatment, without any restriction, to guarantee a better quality of life.
(e) No carrier of the virus shall be subject to isolation, quarantine or any other type of discrimination.
(f) Any carrier of the AIDS virus has the right to participate in all aspects of social life. Any action tending to deny virus carriers employment, shelter, or assistance, or to deprive them of the same, or tending to restrict their participation in group, school and military activities must be considered discriminatory and punished pursuant to this chapter.
(g) The right to receive blood and products derived thereof, organs or tissue that have been rigorously tested for HIV.
(h) Nobody shall make reference to another person’s past or future disease, or to the results of HIV testing without that person’s consent, except for what is provided in §§ 571 et seq. of Title 24. All medical and assistance services must ensure privacy for the virus carrier.
(i) No one shall be forced to be tested for HIV for any reason, except for what is provided by §§ 571 et seq. of Title 24. HIV evidence must be used exclusively for purposes of diagnosis, treatment, control of transfusions and transplants, and epidemiological studies, but never for any type of control over people or populations. The interested parties must be informed of the test results by a competent professional.
(j) Any virus carrier has the right to communicate his health condition or the test results only to the people he/she wishes to inform.
(k) Any carrier of the virus has the right to continue with his civil, professional, sexual and emotional life. No action can restrict his full right to citizenship.
History —Sept. 2, 2000, No. 349, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 22A - Bill of Rights for Carriers of HIV/AIDS (§§ 522 — 527) › § 524 - Responsibilities of the Health Department

The Department of Health, through the Unit in Favor of Rights for People with HIV/AIDS, shall publish the Bill of Rights. It shall also undertake the pertinent and necessary steps to inform health professionals, patients and the general public of the contents of the Bill of Rights for Carriers of the HIV/AIDS Virus in Puerto Rico.
History —Sept. 2, 2000, No. 349, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 22A - Bill of Rights for Carriers of HIV/AIDS (§§ 522 — 527) › § 525 - Procedure for claiming a right

Any person who carries the HIV/AIDS virus may resort, directly or through his tutor, a public officer or a private person interested in his/her welfare, to the Justice Department’s Unit for the Investigation and Prosecution of Civil Rights Violations, or to any division of the Court of First Instance in the judicial district where the HIV/AIDS carrier resides, in order to claim any right or benefit established by this chapter, or to request that any action in contravention to the provisions of this chapter be stopped. The courts shall have the power to appoint legal representation or a judicial defender for the person carrying the HIV/AIDS virus when he/she does not have the necessary economic resources. The court shall have the power to issue any order or judgment according to law necessary for compliance with the provisions of this chapter. Noncompliance with the orders and judgments issued by the court in agreement with this section shall constitute contempt of court.
History —Sept. 2, 2000, No. 349, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 22A - Bill of Rights for Carriers of HIV/AIDS (§§ 522 — 527) › § 526 - Criminal sanctions

Any person who breaches any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, if convicted, shall be sanctioned with a jail term of up to a maximum of six (6) months, a fine that shall not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both penalties, at the discretion of the court.
History —Sept. 2, 2000, No. 349, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 22A - Bill of Rights for Carriers of HIV/AIDS (§§ 522 — 527) › § 527 - Effect upon other acts

Nothing set forth in this chapter shall be construed as [to] exclude, restrict, limit, diminish or affect the rights recognized by law of any natural or juridical person in any way.
History —Sept. 2, 2000, No. 349, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 23 - Special Discounts for Senior Citizens (§§ 531 — 535) › § 531 - Right to half-price admission

Any person over the age of sixty (60), duly identified to that effect, shall be entitled to a discount of fifty percent (50%) on the admission price to any show or cultural, artistic, recreational or sports activity held in the facilities provided by the agencies, departments, public corporations or dependencies of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its political or municipal subdivisions, regardless of whether the activity is organized by the government entity that owns the facilities or by a private organization or producer, or even when the facilities are operated by a private entity or organization, and to all public transportation services rendered by such government agencies or dependencies, and it shall so be established in any contract. The discount on the regular admission price shall be honored at the time of purchasing a ticket at any authorized establishment, regardless of the area or section chosen by the beneficiary.
Every municipality, agency, department, office, political subdivision and any other instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is hereby directed to grant free admission to every duly identified person over seventy-five (75) years of age to every performance and artistic or sports activity offered in their facilities, and to all public transportation services rendered by said agencies or government offices.
It is hereby prohibited to request tickets to an artistic or sports activity presented in facilities of the municipalities, government agencies and dependencies when the date and time thereof are in conflict with other previously requested activities, since it is expected that once the tickets are requested, the show shall be attended.
History —July 12, 1985, No. 108, p. 377, § 1; Aug. 31, 2000, No. 276, § 1; Sept. 2, 2000, No. 331, § 6; May 19, 2008, No. 65, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 23 - Special Discounts for Senior Citizens (§§ 531 — 535) › § 532 - Identification cards

The Department of Health is hereby directed to organize the procedure to issue free of charge an identification card to all persons over the age of sixty (60), who request it. These identification cards, or any other proof of age issued by the Government that can fully identify the person, shall be [sic] also be the authorization to enjoy [at half price] the performances and activities held in the facilities provided by the agencies, departments, public corporations, dependencies, political or municipal subdivisions of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the public transportation services rendered by such government agencies or dependencies.
History —July 12, 1985, No. 108, p. 377, § 2; Aug. 12, 1995, No. 188, § 1; Aug. 31, 2000, No. 276, § 2, eff. 30 days after Aug. 31, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 23 - Special Discounts for Senior Citizens (§§ 531 — 535) › § 533 - Posting of available discount

A visible poster, sign, announcement or notice shall be posted at any show, or cultural, artistic, recreational or sports activity offered at the facilities provided by the agencies, departments, public corporations, dependencies, political or municipal subdivisions of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and in any public transportation service provided by such government agencies or dependencies, indicating the percentage (%) of the discount for admission to which any person over the age of sixty (60) is entitled. All entrance tickets shall bear on the back the benefit of 50% discount to which the persons over the age of 60 are entitled.
History —July 12, 1985, No. 108, p. 377, added as § 3 on Aug. 28, 1997, No. 106, § 1; Aug. 31, 2000, No. 276, § 3, eff. 30 days after Aug. 31, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 23 - Special Discounts for Senior Citizens (§§ 531 — 535) › § 533a - Benefits or subsidies

Those municipalities of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico that own facilities where cultural, artistic, recreational or sports activities are held or that acquire these from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or from any of its agencies to use and operate the same for such purposes, must establish, through an ordinance, within a term not greater than ninety (90) days as of the date of approval of this act, those benefits or subsidies they regard as proper in their jurisdiction in benefit of those persons of over sixty (60) and seventy-five (75) years of age that would attend the shows held there.
Once the municipality has approved said ordinance, notice thereof must be submitted to the Department of State and to the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture and a copy provided to any interested party.
In case a municipality in particular should fail to approve the aforementioned ordinance within the term established in this section, the provisions of §§ 531 and 533 of this title shall apply thereto.
The free tickets requested by the duly identified persons as provided in this section to any show, artistic or sports activity held in the facilities of the municipalities, government agencies or dependencies may not be in conflict among themselves in terms of their time, since it is expected that once the tickets are requested, the show shall be attended.
History —July 12, 1985, No. 108, p. 377, added as § 4 on Sept. 22, 2004, No. 432, § 1; May 19, 2008, No. 65, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 23 - Special Discounts for Senior Citizens (§§ 531 — 535) › § 534 - Penalties

Any natural or juridical person who knowingly violates the provisions of this chapter, shall be sanctioned by administrative fines that shall range from one thousand dollars ($1,000) to a maximum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) per infraction.
History —July 12, 1985, No. 108, p. 377, added as § 4 on Aug. 31, 2000, No. 276, § 4; renumbered as § 5 on Sept. 22, 2004, No. 432, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 23 - Special Discounts for Senior Citizens (§§ 531 — 535) › § 535 - Administration and implementation

The Department of Consumer Affairs shall be responsible for administering, implementing and seeing to the compliance of this chapter.
History —July 12, 1985, No. 108, p. 377, added as § 5 on Aug. 31, 2000, No. 276, § 5; renumbered as § 6 of Sept. 22, 2004, No. 432, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 23A - Special Discounts for People with Disabilities (§§ 536 — 536b) › § 536 - Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter, the following term shall have the meaning stated hereinbelow:
Person with disability.— Means every person who as a consequence or result of a congenital condition, disease, deficiency in development, accident, or for any other reason, is physically or mentally impaired in a permanent or indefinite manner of one or more of his/her basic functions, such as: mobility, communication, self-care, self-direction, tolerance to work in terms of his/her life or his/her capacity to be employed, and whose functions have been seriously affected thus limiting the functioning of said person.
History —July 3, 1998, No. 107, § 1, eff. 90 days after July 3, 1998.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 23A - Special Discounts for People with Disabilities (§§ 536 — 536b) › § 536a - Discount on admission prices

Every person who is declared as a person with disability by a medical certificate, and duly identified to such respect, shall be entitled to a fifty percent (50%) discount of the admission price to every show, cultural, artistic, recreational or sports activity held in facilities provided by the agencies, departments, public corporations or dependencies of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its political or municipal subdivisions and the rates that are in effect in the public transportation service rendered by said agencies.
History —July 3, 1998, No. 107, § 2, eff. 90 days after July 3, 1998.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 23A - Special Discounts for People with Disabilities (§§ 536 — 536b) › § 536b - Identification cards

The Department of Health shall establish a procedure to issue identification cards to disabled persons who request them, for a maximum term of five (5) years by the same method and manner in which they are issued to senior citizens as provided in §§ 531 et seq. of this title. Said cards shall also serve as an authorization to enjoy the discount granted by § 536a of this title. Besides granting said discount, this card shall certify the condition of its beneficiary or bearer as a disabled person for all legal purposes, as well as for conducting all types of transactions with public and private entities. The card shall also specify the type of disability and the manner in which said disability limits its bearer or beneficiary and whether said disability is deemed permanent or not. The card shall be issued at the request of any disabled person or his/her father, mother, tutor, guardian, manager or legal representative. The Department shall establish, through regulations, the fundamental as well as the procedural requirements to certify the applicants and issue the card, including those relative to the fees to be charged for the reasonable cost of printing and issuing the same.
History —July 3, 1998, No. 107, § 3; July 3, 1999, No. 140, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 24 - Citizen’s Bill of Rights on Obscenity and Child Pornography (§§ 541 — 549) › § 541 - Definitions

For the purpose of applying and interpreting this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning stated below:
(a) Act.— Means the act that adopts the “Citizen’s Bill of Rights on Obscenity and Child Pornography”, §§ 541—549 of this title.
(b) Material.— Means any picture, drawing, photograph, moving picture, film or other graphic, audio and visual representation transmitted or retransmitted through cable, electromagnetic waves, digital technology or any other electronic radio or televisions means.
(c) Indecent material.— Means any material that considered in its totality by an average person, and upon application of contemporary community patterns for the communication media that exhibits, emits, diffuses, disseminates, describes, shows or expresses sexual or physiological activities, in a patently gross or offensive manner but that do not reach the level of obscene or pornographic material.
(d) Obscene material.— Means any material, that considered in its totality by an average person, and applying modern community patterns:
(1) Appeals to lascivious interest, to wit, a morbid interest in endity, sexuality or physiological functions; and
(2) represents or describes sexual conduct in a patently offensive manner, and
(3) lacks true literary, artistic, political, religious, scientific or educational value.
(e) Child.— Means every individual under 16 years of age.
(f) Child pornography.— Means material that contains sexual conduct that although not considered obscene, is carried out for, with or in the presence of minors, and as provided in our present code of laws.
(g) Secretary.— Means the Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, with all the powers and faculties conferred by §§ 341 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Organic Act of the Department of Consumer Affairs”.
History —Aug. 9, 2002, No. 140, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2003.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 24 - Citizen’s Bill of Rights on Obscenity and Child Pornography (§§ 541 — 549) › § 542 - Applicability

This chapter may be invoked and shall apply to any person, regardless of race, color, gender, age, religion, ethnic or national origin or identity, political belief, physical, mental or social condition.
History —Aug. 9, 2002, No. 140, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 2003.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 24 - Citizen’s Bill of Rights on Obscenity and Child Pornography (§§ 541 — 549) › § 543 - Radio, computer and television without obscenity and child pornography

Every person is entitled to enjoy radio, computer, and television that do not include obscene material or child pornography.
History —Aug. 9, 2002, No. 140, § 4; Aug. 1, 2008, No. 140, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 24 - Citizen’s Bill of Rights on Obscenity and Child Pornography (§§ 541 — 549) › § 544 - Right to know the laws on child pornography and obscenity

Every person has the right to obtain information on the provisions of the code of laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and of the United States of America that apply locally with regard to the production, exhibition, broadcasting, diffusion and dissemination of obscene material, child pornography and indecent material.
History —Aug. 9, 2002, No. 140, § 5; Aug. 1, 2008, No. 140, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 24 - Citizen’s Bill of Rights on Obscenity and Child Pornography (§§ 541 — 549) › § 545 - Right to know available remedies

Every person has the right to obtain easily understandable material with regard to the available remedies in effect, to assert the rights recognized in § 543 of this title.
History —Aug. 9, 2002, No. 140, § 6, eff. Jan. 1, 2003.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 24 - Citizen’s Bill of Rights on Obscenity and Child Pornography (§§ 541 — 549) › § 546 - Right to prohibit obscene material and/or child pornography

Every person has the right to petition the State to prohibit and to take any steps to prevent the production, exhibition, transmission, diffusion and dissemination of obscene material and/or that contains explicit sexual child abuse, or that is otherwise deemed as obscene material and/or child pornography, pursuant to the applicable laws and jurisprudence.
History —Aug. 9, 2002, No. 140, § 7, eff. Jan. 1, 2003.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 24 - Citizen’s Bill of Rights on Obscenity and Child Pornography (§§ 541 — 549) › § 547 - Transmission of indecent material

Every person has the right to request that the exhibition, transmission, diffusion and dissemination of indecent material by radio and television be prohibited and prevented on a daily basis from six o’clock in the morning (6:00 AM) to ten o’clock at night (10:00 PM), and in accordance with the regulations adopted by the Federal Communications Commission. The Department of Consumer Affairs shall also adopt the necessary regulations that shall apply to the use of computers within a term of ninety (90) days. It shall be understood that no new causes of action or remedies are being created between private persons nor against the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, its agencies, public corporations, dependencies and other instrumentalities, nor against its officials, employees or agents, to compel the application or compliance of the laws in effect.
History —Aug. 9, 2002, No. 140, § 8; Aug. 1, 2008, No. 140, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 24 - Citizen’s Bill of Rights on Obscenity and Child Pornography (§§ 541 — 549) › § 548 - Education on the harmful effect of obscenity and child pornography

Every person has the right to obtain documented information on the detrimental effects of obscenity and child pornography on their emotional and social development and that of their families.
History —Aug. 9, 2002, No. 140, § 9, eff. Jan. 1, 2003.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 24 - Citizen’s Bill of Rights on Obscenity and Child Pornography (§§ 541 — 549) › § 549 - Implementation of this chapter

The Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs shall adopt the rules and regulations needed for the implementation of this chapter, pursuant to the provisions of §§ 341 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Organic Act of the Department of Consumer Affairs”, and of §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Uniform Administrative Procedures Act”.
History —Aug. 9, 2002, No. 140, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 27 - Prizes and Honors (§§ 571 — 583) › § 571 - Armando (“Mandín”) Rodríguez annual award

(a) The Armando (“Mandín”) Rodríguez annual press photography award is hereby created.
(b) The award created by virtue of this section shall be presented annually in the form and manner indicated below. The aforesaid shall be divided into one first place and two (2) second place awards to be selected by the panel created below. The photographs chosen shall be press photographs published in a Puerto Rico news medium during the year in which the award is given.
(c) A three (3) judge panel in charge of selecting the award-winning photographs is hereby created. Said panel shall be appointed by the Executive Director of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. With the latter’s approval the panel shall issue the norms and conditions for participation in the contest. No person who works for, or is professionally connected with a news or public communications medium in Puerto Rico, may be a member of the panel.
(d) The Armando (“Mandín”) Rodríguez Award shall be bestowed annually, preferably during Press Week, at a ceremony organized for that purpose by the Speakers of the House of Representatives and the Senate of Puerto Rico, who will be in charge of presenting the awards for the selected photographs. Both legislative bodies shall have the responsibility for making available the funds for the cash awards provided below. They shall also be responsible for providing the facilities and resources needed to present an exhibition of the photographs submitted and for the awards activity.
(e) It is hereby provided that the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) shall be awarded to the photojournalist who wins the first prize and the sum of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) to the photojournalist who wins the second prize.
(f) Said awards will be funded annually from the Joint Expenses item of the Legislature appropriated to the Office of Legislative Services.
(g) The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall publish in a newspaper of general circulation, the name and achievements of the persons who annually receive the Armando “Mandín” Rodríguez Award. The cost for doing this shall be defrayed from the item created pursuant to the provisions of subsection (f) of this section.
(h) The Joint Committee for Granting Medals and Awards of the Legislature shall be in charge of all duties regarding all matters concerning the Armando “Mandín” Rodríguez Award.
History —Aug. 31, 1990, No. 81, p. 481, §§ 1—6; July 3, 1999, No. 144, § 1; Aug. 25, 2005, No. 70, §§ 1, 2; Sept. 28, 2005, No. 123, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 27 - Prizes and Honors (§§ 571 — 583) › § 572 - Thurgood Marshall awards

(a) The Thurgood Marshall Award is hereby established, to be awarded annually to the most outstanding graduate in the civil rights field of each accredited law school in Puerto Rico.
(b) The Civil Rights Commission shall grant said award, which consists of one thousand dollars ($1,000) in cash, and shall provide, through regulations, on all matters concerning its granting.
(c) The necessary funds to render effective the provisions of this section shall be charged against the funds appropriated to the General Budget of Expenses of the Government of Puerto Rico, under the item of the budget appropriated to the Office of Legislative Services, attached to the Legislature of Puerto Rico.
History —May 3, 1993, No. 9, §§ 1—3; Aug. 2, 2006, No. 140, §§ 1, 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 27 - Prizes and Honors (§§ 571 — 583) › § 573 - Raúl Juliá Award

(a) The “Raúl Juliá Theatrical Arts Scholarship” is hereby created, to be conferred to a student who excels in the field of theatrical arts and who has also distinguished him/herself in community service, and who wishes to pursue studies in drama outside of Puerto Rico.
(b) The Award shall be conferred yearly and shall consist of a scholarship in the sum of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000).
(c) The Speaker of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico shall designate a Nomination Committee, constituted by five (5) persons who are directly involved in the field of scenic arts, including at least one (1) member of the faculty of the Drama Department of the University of Puerto Rico, and the Director of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture’s Theatrical Program.
(d) The Nominating Committee shall have the task of selecting the student who shall receive the Raúl Juliá Theatrical Arts Scholarship no later than the third week of May of each year. The House of Representatives shall establish through regulations all other details concerning the granting of the award. Said regulations shall require specific provisions for the publication and disclosure to the general public and the artistic and teaching communities of the notice of nominations and the results of the awards ceremony. In order to ensure its continuity, after the election and swearing in of the House of Representatives upon general elections, the regulation previously in force shall continue in effect until the incoming House of Representatives takes the corresponding actions.
(e) The Award shall be conferred in cash or in any other manner established through regulations.
(f) The House of Representatives of Puerto Rico shall annually set aside the sum of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) from its General Budget for the granting of the Award. Provided, That said sum shall be integrally transferred to defray expenses related to the studies of the award-winning student. The administrative, publicity, and disclosure costs of this award shall not be deducted from the prize, but rather from the publicity budget of the House of Representatives. If in any year, the award is declared vacant for any reason whatsoever, the funds shall be reserved for the award ceremony of the next year.
History —May 15, 1996, No. 36, §§ 1—6; Jan. 23, 2006, No. 21, §§ 1—3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 27 - Prizes and Honors (§§ 571 — 583) › § 575 - Yearly award to the public servant in the field of health

(a) The award created by virtue of this section shall be bestowed in the manner set forth below.
(b) A panel of three (3) judges is hereby constituted to be composed by the Secretary of the Department of Health, the Chairperson of the Health Committee of the Senate and the Chairperson of the Health Committee of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico, who shall be empowered to each year select the public servant who has most distinguished him or herself in the field of health, be it for the scientific research conducted, the acknowledgements received, the work performed or the community services rendered.
(c) The award shall consist of an amount of one thousand five-hundred dollars ($1,500) bestowed on the public servant selected yearly as well as a plaque in acknowledgement to be presented during a ceremony to be held in the premises of the Legislature of Puerto Rico.
(d) Both legislative bodies shall set aside from the yearly General Budget the funds needed to grant said award and hold said ceremony.
History —Aug. 12, 2000, No. 165, §§ 2—5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 27 - Prizes and Honors (§§ 571 — 583) › § 577 - National Hero Medal

(a) To hereby create the Official Medal of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for the National Hero to, with same, decorate Puerto Ricans and foreigners, living or deceased, who show or have shown a high degree of civism and nobility by serving in pacifist causes anywhere in the world.
(b) This award shall be granted to persons who, for their worthy acts of calm, serene, and peaceful heroism, earn the admiration and gratitude of Puerto Ricans for their efforts to achieve peace. If the person selected is deceased, the award shall be given to the closest relatives, who shall receive same on their behalf. If the person is a foreigner, and the family is not available, same shall be given to the primary executive of the corresponding country. If a Puerto Rican, and no family survives, the distinction shall be received by the President of the House himself, to be exposed along with the list whose creation is set forth by subsection (e) of this section.
(c) The award shall consist of a circular silver medal, which shall bear the logo of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(d) To consider the granting of the award, after a representative submits a resolution in this regard, the President of the House shall name a committee of legislators who shall study the merits of the resolution’s nominee. Said committee shall consist of three (3) members, since it is necessary for all three parties to be represented in said committee with representatives elected in the previous elections. Unanimous consent of the members of the committee shall be required for the granting of the medal.
(e) The House of Representatives shall maintain a registry in which all matters pertaining to the identity and feats of the awarded persons shall be kept. Said registry shall include a list that shall be kept exposed from the moment in which the first person to be awarded is determined. The President of the House of Representatives shall determine the specific location for the exposition of said list.
(f) Expenses incurred for the minting of the medal, the acts of conferring the award and others necessary to establish the registry provided for in subsection (e) of this section, shall be defrayed by the budget of the House of Representatives.
History —Mar. 27, 2003, No. 95, §§ 1—6.