reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 33 - Employment Agencies (§§ 551 — 574) › § 563 - Public Employment Service—Political activities by officers or employees prohibited; penalties

(a) No officer or employee engaged in the administration of §§ 551—563 of this title may: (1) use his official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with an election or a nomination for any office, or affecting the result thereof, or (2) directly or indirectly coerce, attempt to coerce, command or advise any such other employee to pay, lend, or contribute any part of his salary or compensation, or anything else of value, to any party, committee, organization, agency, or person for political purposes. No such officer or employee shall take any active part in political management or in political campaigns. All such persons shall retain the right to vote as they may choose, and to express their opinions on all political subjects and candidates. For the purposes of the second sentence of this section the term “officer or employee” shall not include:
(1) The Governor;
(2) duly elected or appointed heads of executive departments of the Puerto Rico Government or of any municipality, who are not in the competitive service of the Commonwealth Government;
(3) officers holding elective offices.
(b) Any officer or employee of the Puerto Rico Employment Service violating the provisions of this section shall be immediately removed from the position or office held by him, and thereafter no funds appropriated by the Puerto Rico Legislature or granted by any agency of the federal government shall be used to pay the compensation of such person.
(c) No person shall seek or attempt to use any political endorsement in connection with any appointment to a position in the competitive service.
(d) No person shall use directly or indirectly his official authority or influence to secure for any person an appointment to any position in the competitive service, or an increase in pay or other advantage, for the purpose of influencing the vote or political action in favor of any person, or for any other purpose.
(e) Any person who shall directly or indirectly coerce, attempt to coerce, or command any officer or employee of the Puerto Rico Employment Service to pay, lend or contribute any part of his salary or compensation or anything of value to any party, committee, organization, agency or person for political purposes shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment in jail for a term of not more than one year, or by both penalties.
History —Dec. 20, 1950, No. 12, p. 356, § 13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 33 - Employment Agencies (§§ 551 — 574) › § 564 - Private employment agencies—Definitions

As used in §§ 564—574 of this title, the terms hereinafter listed shall have the following meaning:
(a) Person.— Shall mean an individual, a company, partnership, association, corporation, manager, contractor, subcontractor, or the agent or employee of any of them.
(b) Fees.— Shall mean money or any valuable consideration, exacted, charged, collected, or received, directly or indirectly, or paid or promised to be paid, for any service or act described or enumerated in subsection (d) of this section.
(c) Employment.— Shall mean work contracted for, permitted, or agreed upon.
(d) Employment agency.— Shall mean any person or organization who, for a fee or without any compensation whatsoever regularly:
(1) Obtains, offers, or attempts to procure, employees for persons seeking the services of workmen, or employment for persons seeking employment;
(2) supplies workmen to render services under the direct or indirect supervision or the direction of persons seeking the services of workmen;
(3) through advertisements, either paid by it or by the employers, procures candidates for employment by other persons, excluding newspapers, radio, or television enterprises when publishing such advertisements in the course of their operations as such;
(4) through personal interviews, psychological or aptitude tests, occupational classification, or other analogous procedure, refers said candidates, to employers seeking their services, except when it renders said services in relation to employees or candidates for employment who are directly referred to it by the employers, or
(5) gives information by any means with respect to the place where the services of workmen may be obtained or the place where employment may be obtained, when attempting to perform any of the acts stated in clauses (1) through (4) of this subsection.
(e) Secretary.— Shall mean the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources of Puerto Rico.
(f) Department.— Shall mean the Department of Labor and Human Resources of Puerto Rico.
History —May 14, 1947, No. 417, p. 826, § 1; May 9, 1955, No. 29, p. 100, § 1; June 22, 1962, No. 91, p. 236, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 33 - Employment Agencies (§§ 551 — 574) › § 565 - Private employment agencies—Licenses

Every person who wishes to operate an employment agency shall fill an application therefor on a form to be furnished by the Department. The Secretary shall, personally or through his subordinates, investigate the character, moral standing, business integrity, or any other particulars that said official may deem advisable to investigate with respect to the applicant. After the investigation is made, if the Secretary deems that the applicant is of a good moral character and business integrity and meets the other requirements provided or that may be provided by regulation, the Secretary shall issue a license to the applicant upon payment to the Department of Labor and Human Resources of a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) in internal revenue stamps. No license shall be issued unless the applicant complies or is willing to comply with the provisions of §§ 564—574 of this title and the regulations issued hereunder. The agent or employee of an employment agency to which a license has been issued by the Secretary shall not need to obtain other license under §§ 564—574 of this title. Each license shall state the name of the person to whom it is issued, and the specific place or address where he is to operate the agency. Licenses issued under §§ 564—574 of this title shall be valid only of the person and place therein indicated. The person or entity to whom the license is issued may only operate within the limits of Puerto Rico. To make diligences for, or bringing workmen from any place outside the limits of Puerto Rico or to refer workmen for employment outside Puerto Rico there shall be needed a special permit from the Secretary that may be issued by him only when in his judgment there are special circumstances to merit it. The place may be changed only upon the written approval of the Secretary, and it shall be so stated on the license. Licenses shall be effective from the date of their approval and shall remain in effect for a year, unless previously revoked or suspended by the Secretary. Upon summons for the purpose and an opportunity to be heard, the Secretary may suspend or revoke the license of any employment agency after he finds that any of the provisions hereof, or any regulation or order issued hereunder has not been complied with.
Any person who operates an employment agency without having previously obtained a license from the Secretary as provided herein shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as established by § 574 of this title, and each violation shall constitute a separate offense.
History —May 14, 1947, No. 417, p. 826, § 2; May 7, 1948, No. 114, p. 272, § 1; June 22, 1962, No. 91, p. 236, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 33 - Employment Agencies (§§ 551 — 574) › § 566 - Private employment agencies—Bond

(a) No license for the operation of an employment agency shall be issued unless the applicant therefor has given in favor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and has deposited with the Secretary, a bond in the amount determined by said official according to the importance of the business undertaken by the employment agency or which it may plan to undertake. Such bond requires approval by the Secretary and shall be executed by a surety company duly authorized to do business in Puerto Rico or given by the principal in cash, by certified check drawn to the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources of Puerto Rico, or on mortgage security approved by the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources. It shall be a condition of the bond that the applicant or licensee shall comply with all provisions of §§ 564—574 of this title and of the rules and regulations hereunder, and that he shall answer for any loss or damage arising from noncompliance with §§ 564—574 of this title or with regulations or orders issued hereunder. The revocation of a license to operate an employment agency shall not affect the coverage of such bond as to a claim arising out of acts which occurred prior to the date of such revocation. The Secretary may at any time notify the licensee to file a new or supplementary bond in a form and amount necessary to conform with the provisions of this section, whenever the Secretary shall deem the surety of such bond unsatisfactory, or the amount thereof insufficient to satisfy all claims accrued or contingent against the licensee. Should the licensee fail to comply with this requirement of the Secretary within ten (10) days after such notice, such noncompliance shall operate as an automatic revocation of the license, unless the Secretary grants him an extension of time to comply with requirements.
(b) Any person suffering loss or damage by reason of the failure of any employment agency to comply with any of the provisions of §§ 564—574 of this title, or any rule, regulation or order issued hereunder, may sue the insurance company, if the bond has been given by an insurance company, or directly the employment agency if the latter has given its bond in cash or on mortgage security, to recover the amount of such loss or damage. The suit may be instituted in any Court of First Instance’s part by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or by any one or more persons suffering such loss or damage, for and in behalf of himself or themselves or by any agent designated by such person or persons. The jurisdiction of the court shall not be limited by the amount involved in the claim or by the amount of the bond.
History —May 14, 1947, No. 417, p. 826, § 3; Dec. 3, 1947, No. 2, p. 290, § 2; June 22, 1962, No. 91, p. 236, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 33 - Employment Agencies (§§ 551 — 574) › § 568 - Private employment agencies—Fees charged by agency; notice; fairness

(a) It shall be the duty of every employment agency to file with the office of the Secretary a schedule of the fees which said agency intends to charge for all the services which it may render to employers and workmen, in such manner as the Secretary may by order, rule, or regulation prescribe as reasonable and proper to the public interest and for the protection of employers and workmen; Provided, That an employment agency may at any time file with the office of the Secretary an amended schedule of fees which, if approved by the Secretary, shall take effect sixty (60) days after the date of the filing thereof.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any agency to charge or accept, directly or indirectly, fees other than those included in the schedule of fees filed with the office of the Secretary under subsection (a) of this section.
(c) The Secretary is hereby granted authority to investigate, upon the filing of a complaint or on his own initiative, the fairness of the fees proposed or fixed by an employment agency, as same may appear on the schedules filed in his office under subsection (a) of this section, or of such fees as are directly or indirectly charged by an employment agency, as well as those fixed by an order or rule or regulation pursuant to §§ 564—574 of this title.
The Secretary, or the person from his Department that he may designate, shall after summons served on the interested parties, hold a public hearing for the purpose of determining whether or not the fees proposed or fixed are reasonable; and he may in said hearing, examine any particular, fact, or other factor with respect to the fixing and collection of said fees. As a result of the investigation therefor made, the Secretary may approve, reduce, increase, or prohibit the collection of all or some of the fees, as the case may be. In order to reach said conclusions, the Secretary shall, among other factors, consider the kind of agency, the financial and competition factors involved, the kind of employment offered or requested, the duration of the employment, and the wages to be paid for such employment. In any hearing held for the increase of fees, the burden of proof to the effect that the increase is fair and reasonable and involves no discrimination against employers and employees and the general public, shall be on the employment agency.
History —May 14, 1947, No. 417, p. 826, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 33 - Employment Agencies (§§ 551 — 574) › § 569 - Private employment agencies—Regulations

The Secretary shall have power to adopt any rules and regulations that may be necessary:
(1) To regulate or prohibit procedures and policies in the operation of employment agencies;
(2) to effectuate the purpose of §§ 564—574 of this title and the provisions thereof, and
(3) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to define any terms or words used in §§ 564—574 of this title.
After their approval by the Governor and due promulgation, such rules and regulations shall have the force of law.
History —May 14, 1947, No. 417, p. 826, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 33 - Employment Agencies (§§ 551 — 574) › § 570 - Private employment agencies—Investigation and enforcement powers of Secretary

The Secretary is hereby authorized to make all such investigations and to take all such steps as may be necessary for the enforcement of the provisions of §§ 564—574 of this title. In the performance of such duties and powers, the Secretary, or any employee of this Department whom he may designate, is hereby authorized to hold public hearings, summon witnesses, administer oaths, and take testimony, and he may, in compliance with these provisions, issue subpoenas, and compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documental or other evidence; he may visit and inspect the premises or buildings wherein an employment agency is installed, and he may also examine and make copies of books, records, and any other documents or papers of said agency, as well as request any other information in order to comply with the provisions of §§ 564—574 of this title. He may also utilize for his summonses and investigations the services of justices of the peace and District judges, prosecuting attorneys, marshals of the District and Courts of First Instance, and members of the police force.
In case any person refuses to appear after being so summoned in writing, and does not offer just cause for his failure to appear, it shall be the duty of the judge of First Instance of the domicile of the person summoned, to institute, at the request of the Secretary or of his authorized representative, contempt proceedings as in the case of a person summoned to testify or to appear before said court, and said person shall, upon conviction, be found guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50) or by imprisonment in jail for a term of thirty (30) days.
Jurisdiction is hereby vested on the San Juan part of the Court of First Instance to issue and grant, on petition of the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources, writs of injunction and any other legal remedies as may be necessary to effectuate the provisions of §§ 564—574 of this title, and enforce such regulations, rules, directives, and findings as the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources may have made while in the exercise of the power conferred upon him by §§ 564—574 of this title.
History —May 14, 1947, No. 417, p. 826, § 7; Dec. 3, 1947, No. 2, p. 290, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 33 - Employment Agencies (§§ 551 — 574) › § 571 - Private employment agencies—Appeal and review

Any person who considers himself aggrieved by an order of the Secretary suspending or revoking a license may, within a term of thirty (30) days after being served notice of said order, commence an action in the San Juan part of the Court of First Instance against the Secretary as defendant for review of such order. Upon notice of such action, the Secretary shall, within a term of ten (10) days after such notice, file in said part of the Court of First Instance, a full record of the testimony, evidence, and all proceedings upon which the order appealed from was based. The review of the Court of First Instance shall be limited exclusively to questions of law, and the findings of fact of the Secretary shall be conclusive and final if supported by evidence. The parties may appeal from the decision of the Court of First Instance to the Supreme Court in the same manner as in other civil actions.
History —May 14, 1947, No. 417, p. 826, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 33 - Employment Agencies (§§ 551 — 574) › § 572 - Private employment agencies—Cooperation with federal agencies

The Secretary is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with any department or agency of the Government of the United States or any subdivision of such department or agency charged with the administration of any law relating to employment agencies, for the purpose of aiding and cooperating in the strict enforcement in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico of any such law. The Secretary is further authorized to accept payment, as provided by Congress, for services rendered under such agreements, and any sums appropriated for the administration of §§ 564—574 of this title may be expended for such services to the extent that payments are stipulated. All payments received by the Secretary under this section shall be covered into the Treasury of Puerto Rico according to law, and same are hereby appropriated for the purposes of this section.
History —May 14, 1947, No. 417, p. 826, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 33 - Employment Agencies (§§ 551 — 574) › § 573 - Private employment agencies—Cognizance of violations; trial without jury

The Court of First Instance shall have exclusive cognizance in cases of violations or suits arising hereunder; Provided, That such cases shall be heard by the court without a jury.
History —May 14, 1947, No. 417, p. 826, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 33 - Employment Agencies (§§ 551 — 574) › § 574 - Private employment agencies—Penalties

Any person who violates §§ 564—574 of this title or any section or provision hereof or any rule or regulation issued hereunder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than three hundred dollars ($300) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), 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. For all cases comprised within clauses (17) and (18) of subsection (a) of § 567 of this title, the penalty shall consist of a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500), or imprisonment in jail for a term of not less than thirty (30) days nor more than ninety (90) days, or both penalties, in the discretion of the court. Cases of recidivism shall be punished by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than two thousand dollars ($2,000), or by imprisonment in jail for a term of not less than sixty (60) days nor more than one hundred and eighty (180) days, or by both penalties, in the discretion of the court.
History —May 14, 1947, No. 417, p. 826, § 11; Apr. 21, 1948, No. 28, p. 58, § 1; June 16, 1960, No. 92, p. 194, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 34 - Temporary Employment Companies (§§ 575 — 575e) › § 575 - Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning expressed below:
(a) Temporary service company.— Means any person or organization engaged in providing employees to render services to a client company.
(b) Client company.— Means any person or organization that solicits the services of temporary employees from temporary service companies.
(c) Temporary employee.— Means any employee provided by a temporary service company who renders his/her services to a particular person or organization during a certain period of time or for a certain job.
(d) Mandatory decree.— Refers to documents of a quasi-legislative nature issued by the Puerto Rico Minimum Wage Board fixing minimum wages, vacation leave, sick leave and other employment conditions for a specific industry or economic activity.
(e) Joint employers.— Refers to that condition of statutory liability imposed simultaneously by this chapter upon both the temporary service company and the client company, through which both companies are deemed to be equally liable for the conditions and rights established by virtue of Act June 26, 1956, No. 96 and 271 et seq. of this title, as though they were one single employer.
History —July 22, 1992, No. 26, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 34 - Temporary Employment Companies (§§ 575 — 575e) › § 575a - Purpose

The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the provision of temporary employees to client companies by temporary service companies. In order to achieve this purpose the pertinent areas of responsibility of each company involved are clarified and fixed regarding the rights of the temporary employees thus contracted. In this manner, greater assurance and stability are imparted with regard to the labor relations for this important labor sector.
History —July 22, 1992, No. 26, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 34 - Temporary Employment Companies (§§ 575 — 575e) › § 575b - Employer determination and applicable mandatory decree

The mandatory decree that covers temporary employment companies shall apply to temporary employees provided by temporary service companies, as to vacation leave and sick leave. Provided, That with regard to the other employment conditions established by decree, the mandatory decree of the client company shall apply to said temporary employees.
Nevertheless, for the purpose of temporary employee claims under the provisions of Act June 26, 1956, No 96 and §§ 271 et seq. of this title, both the temporary service company and the client company shall be deemed joint employers, as this term is defined in subsection (e) of § 575 of this title.
Provided, That with regard to the legislation prohibiting job discrimination and sexual harassment, as well as the legislation which regulates unjustified dismissal, whoever discriminates against or dismisses the employee or incurs actions sanctioned by law, be it the temporary employment company or the client company, shall answer for their compliance.
Regarding legislation which compels the employer to retain the employee’s position during the term of effectiveness of the contract, when it concerns temporary employees provided by temporary service companies, the obligation to retain their position stated in these laws and according to their requirements, shall rest upon the temporary service company, or in the case of non-compliance by the aforesaid, upon the client company to which the employee was rendering his/her services at the time in which he/she availed him/herself of said leave.
The temporary service company shall be responsible for the payment of the Christmas bonus of the temporary employees provided by the aforesaid to the client companies, unless said employee has worked for the client company for the seven hundred (700) hours required by §§ 501 et seq. of this title, although in case the temporary service company does not comply with this obligation, said client company shall be responsible instead.
History —July 22, 1992, No. 26, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 34 - Temporary Employment Companies (§§ 575 — 575e) › § 575c - Prohibition to contract or refer temporary employees

The contracting of temporary employees by temporary service companies shall not be used for the following purposes:
(a) As a method or mechanism for destroying or keeping labor unions out of the workplace.
(b) To perform any act of discrimination prohibited by law.
(c) As a subterfuge or mechanism to evade compliance with §§ 185a et seq. of this title.
(d) As a method or mechanism to break, weaken or interrupt strikes or work stoppages.
History —July 22, 1992, No. 26, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 34 - Temporary Employment Companies (§§ 575 — 575e) › § 575d - Sanctions

(a) Criminal.— Any violation of this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor and carry a maximum fine of five hundred dollars ($500) or imprisonment for a maximum of six (6) months, or both penalties at the discretion of the court.
(b) Civil.— Any person or organization who violates the provisions of this chapter shall also be liable under the applicable legislation, and shall also be liable for the costs, expenses and interest and attorney’s fees incurred during the proceedings. For that purpose, the ordinary civil proceeding or a summary proceeding mechanisms for salary claims may be used as provided in §§ 3118—3132 of Title 32.
History —July 22, 1992, No. 26, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 34 - Temporary Employment Companies (§§ 575 — 575e) › § 575e - Administration of statute and regulations

The Secretary of Labor and Human Resources shall see to the faithful compliance of this chapter, and is hereby empowered to promulgate all necessary regulations to fulfill his/her duties, subject to the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedures Act”.
History —July 22, 1992, No. 26, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 37 - Artistic, Music and Tourist Shows (§§ 586 — 586f) › § 586 - Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning expressed below:
(a) Puerto Rican.— Every performer or musician who:
(1) Was born in Puerto Rico or is the offspring of Puerto Ricans; or
(2) is a United States citizen, or
(3) is a foreigner with legal residence in the United States and is domiciled in Puerto Rico.
(b) Performer.— Every singer, dancer, comedian, magician, prestidigitator, folk musician, actor, presenter, announcer, master of ceremonies, model, reciter, extra or any other person dedicated individually, or in a group, under the same professional name, to entertain the public through any financially remunerated artistic presentation.
(c) Musician.— Any person whose work consists of playing a musical instrument or singing as part of the functions of an orchestra, combo, band or any other type of musical group dedicated to entertain at dances, concerts, or artistic or musical shows for financial remuneration.
(d) Artistic shows.— Shall include, without it being understood as a limitation, those artistic performances carried out live by artists or musicians and for which they receive financial remuneration.
(e) Person.— Natural or juridical person.
(f) Secretary.— Secretary of Labor and Human Resources.
History —July 20, 1988, No. 114, p. 476, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 37 - Artistic, Music and Tourist Shows (§§ 586 — 586f) › § 586a - Contract requirement

Any person who contracts or represents performers or musicians to give artistic shows at patron saint festivities, as the concept is used in §§ 80 and 81 of Title 15, in tourist hotels, dances or in any other establishment, facility or recreation area, whether the sites or areas are owned by him or others, including those operating or under the possession of agencies of the government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or its municipalities, shall be bound to present at least fifty percent (50%) of performances by Puerto Rican performers.
History —July 20, 1988, No. 114, p. 476, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 37 - Artistic, Music and Tourist Shows (§§ 586 — 586f) › § 586b - Contract requirement—Determination of compliance

The total number of hours served by Puerto Rican artists and musicians during each natural year, with respect to all activities held during the same period by that person, which entails the recruitment and participation of that artistic personnel, shall be used as a base in order to determine if the persons comply with the requirement of presenting no less than fifty percent (50%) of Puerto Rican artists and musicians, as established by this chapter.
History —July 20, 1988, No. 114, p. 476, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 37 - Artistic, Music and Tourist Shows (§§ 586 — 586f) › § 586c - Administration and implementation

The Secretary shall be charged with the administration of this chapter and will prescribe the norms and procedures through regulations, dictate the orders and shall take whatever steps are deemed necessary for implementation.
In the performance of this function the Secretary may consult and obtain the advice of persons experienced and knowledgeable in the areas of artistic and musical activities in the private sector as well as in the government sector, especially those government agencies and bodies dedicated to the development and promotion of the arts and tourism, and they shall offer the Secretary the assistance necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
History —July 20, 1988, No. 114, p. 476, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 37 - Artistic, Music and Tourist Shows (§§ 586 — 586f) › § 586d - Complaints; investigation

The Secretary shall have the duty to investigate every complaint or charge presented at his office which alleges a violation of the provisions of this chapter.
If the Secretary determines from the preliminary investigation of the charge or complaint that there are reasonable grounds to initiate an in depth investigation of the alleged facts, he will so inform the respondent, advising him of the nature of the complaint and advise him/her of the remedies and rights provided by this chapter, as well as of the penalties it establishes.
The Secretary may require the respondent to submit records, payrolls, documents or any other pertinent evidence that will serve to determine the proportion of the total number of hours of service of Puerto Rican performers and musicians during the twelve (12) months prior to the date of notice or requirement of the Secretary with respect to all the activities held during the same period that entail the recruitment and participation of said artistic personnel.
Likewise, the Secretary may receive information to that respect from private persons or entities. He may also hold the hearings that, in his judgment, are necessary for the best performance of his functions.
History —July 20, 1988, No. 114, p. 476, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 37 - Artistic, Music and Tourist Shows (§§ 586 — 586f) › § 586e - Civil fines

The Secretary shall have the power to establish, through regulations, the imposition of civil fines up to a maximum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) for the violation of the provisions of this chapter and the regulatory provisions promulgated under it. When imposing the fines, the Secretary shall give due consideration to the proportion of the penalty in relation to the magnitude and seriousness of the violation and the history of prior violations.
Civil fines owed pursuant to this section shall be paid to the Secretary of the Treasury of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to be deposited in the General Fund of the Treasury of Puerto Rico and in case of default in the payment thereof, they may be recovered through a civil action filed on behalf of the Secretary of Justice of Puerto Rico.
History —July 20, 1988, No. 114, p. 476, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART II - Employment (§§ 511 — 586f) › Chapter 37 - Artistic, Music and Tourist Shows (§§ 586 — 586f) › § 586f - Reconsideration of administrative decision; procedure

Any party adversely affected by a resolution, order or decision of the Secretary may request a reconsideration within the term of thirty (30) days following receipt of the notice of said resolution, order or decision.
The filing of a request for reconsideration shall not exempt any person whatsoever from complying or obeying any resolution, order or decision issued pursuant to this chapter. The request for reconsideration will in no way operate as a suspension or postponement of the effectiveness of the resolution, order or decision, unless there is an intervening special order of the Secretary by petition of a party. The request for reconsideration shall specifically state the grounds upon which it is based. The Secretary shall issue his substantiated decision within a term of thirty (30) days from the date of filing of the request for reconsideration.
The resolution, order or decision issued by the Secretary shall be final and binding unless the party adversely affected requests its review by the Court of First Instance of Puerto Rico within thirty (30) days following the date of notice. The petitioner shall notify the Secretary with a copy of the appeal for review on the same date of filing.
History —July 20, 1988, No. 114, p. 476, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 41 - Social Security Generally (§ 611) › § 611 - Legislative consent of extension of Social Security Act to Puerto Rico

The desire and consent of the Legislature of Puerto Rico are hereby expressed that the provisions of Title II of the Social Security Act be extended to Puerto Rico.
History —Sept. 18—22, 1950, Concurrent Resolution, p. 288, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 41A - Social Security Number (§§ 621 — 621b) › § 621a - Prohibition of use

(a) No employer of a private enterprise or of a public corporation of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico may show or display the social security number of an employee, regardless of the nature of his/her position or appointment, in his/her identification card, nor may show or display that data in a place visible to the general public or in a document of general circulation. No social security number may be included in any personnel directory or in any similar list that is made available to persons who have no need or authority for accessing such data.
These protective measures may be rejected voluntarily or in writing by the employee although said rejection may not be imposed as a condition for employment. This provision shall not be applicable as to the use of the social security number in those cases and for those purposes for which it is specifically compulsory by special provision of law, nor for which it has been authorized or regulated through federal law or regulation, nor for its use for the internal purpose of verifying the identity, taxes, contracting and payrolls, subject to the employer taking the proper safeguards for maintaining its confidentiality.
When a document containing the social security number of a worker has to be made public for a purpose which does not require that data, the same shall be edited so that said data is partially or totally illegible without this being deemed an alteration of the contents of the document.
(b) The violation of the provisions of this section, including the failure to protect the confidentiality of the social security number, entails a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) or up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each case. The Department of Labor and Human Resources of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall be the agency in charge of supervising compliance with this section.
(c) Should any provision, word, sentence or subsection of this section were to be impugned for any reason by a court and declared unconstitutional or null, or should any federal legislation or regulation occupy the field, such an action shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remaining provisions of this section.
(d) The Department of Labor and Human Resources shall have six (6) months after the effective date of this act to establish the regulations needed to comply with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section; said regulations must grant employers a term of not less than six (6) months to certify to the Department the implementation of these provisions or a work plan with a certain date within which it is to be achieved.
(e) None of the provisions of this section shall be understood to impair any organizational policy of an employer or of any collective bargaining agreement which are already in effect and provide protections to the confidentiality of the social security number and sanctions for noncompliance.
History —Sept. 27, 2006, No. 207, §§ 1—5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 42 - Priority Employment of Persons Over 60 Years of Age (§§ 622 — 627) › § 622 - Public policy—Establishment

It is hereby established as public policy of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to give priority employment or grant incentives to persons of over sixty years (60) of age, specially to women aged sixty-two (62) and older or men aged sixty-five (65) or older, who have not been able to pay the required minimum per quarter which entitles them to receive a Social Security pension, and who have accrued at least twenty-seven (27) of the forty (40) quarters required by Chapter 35, Title 42, Section 1 of the United States Code of August 14, 1935, which creates the Social Security.
History —Jan. 23, 2006, No. 17, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 42 - Priority Employment of Persons Over 60 Years of Age (§§ 622 — 627) › § 623 - Regulations

The Secretary of the Department of Labor and Human Resources is hereby empowered to establish through any necessary regulations, the terms for the staggered applicability of these benefits to other individuals who owe more than eight (8) quarters but less than thirteen and a half (13.5) quarters, provided there is a legislative authorization that allows for the distribution of the corresponding funds.
History —Jan. 23, 2006, No. 17, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 42 - Priority Employment of Persons Over 60 Years of Age (§§ 622 — 627) › § 624 - Public and private priority employment

(a) The Secretary of Labor and Human Resources shall regulate the use of any fund created or that may be created for the priority employment or for granting incentives geared towards the employment of women aged sixty-two (62) or older and men aged sixty-five (65) or older which shall also include those persons who have not paid the required minimum of forty (40) quarters to the Social Security. To these ends, the Secretary is empowered to accept monetary donations to be deposited in any fund created or that may be created pursuant to this chapter.
(b) In addition, the Secretary shall also provide for the creation of an inventory of any suitable and unsuitable tasks for the persons covered in this chapter. Said inventory shall be available and updated at all times so that it may serve as a guide for the beneficiaries thereof and for potential public and private employers.
(c) In the case of the private sector, the implementation of this public policy and the application of this benefit shall include any project or program which use government, state, or municipal funds, financing or incentives, and funds from federal government legislation or proposals.
(d) It is hereby established that in the public sector as well as in the participating private sector, a minimum of ten percent (10%) of the generated jobs shall be reserved for the purposes of the public policy herein established. This shall be subject to compliance with the required qualifications for each post, position, or office.
(e) To establish this public policy oversight shall be exercised firstly to benefit men aged sixty-five (65) or older and women aged sixty-two (62) or older in agreement with Social Security age regulations. Likewise, to the degree possible, it shall be extended to persons aged sixty (60) or older regardless of gender.
History —Jan. 23, 2006, No. 17, §§ 3—6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 42 - Priority Employment of Persons Over 60 Years of Age (§§ 622 — 627) › § 625 - Board—Creation; additional regulation

(a) A Board which shall be known as the “Board for the Priority Employment of the Elderly” is hereby created. It shall be composed by the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources, who shall preside it; the Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce; the Advocate for the Elderly; and two private citizens appointed by the Governor and with the consent of the Senate of Puerto Rico for a term of four (4) years. These private citizens shall respectively represent the business sector and the pensioners or retirees and shall be bound to comply with the provisions of §§ 1854 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Ethics in Government Act of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico”.
(b) The Secretary of the Department of Labor and Human Resources, by the majority vote of the Board members, shall approve any additional regulations needed to guarantee the achievement of the purposes of this chapter and of any fund created or that may be created pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of § 624 of this title.
History —Jan. 23, 2006, No. 17, §§ 7, 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 42 - Priority Employment of Persons Over 60 Years of Age (§§ 622 — 627) › § 626 - Order for granting incentives or benefits

The order for granting employment incentives or benefits shall be subject to the priority employment of the persons comprised within the age groups covered under this public policy in agreement with the following criteria:
(1) Persons with disabilities who do not have an obligor and live below the poverty line.
(2) Persons who live below the poverty line as defined by the Planning Board who are not assisted by an obligor.
(3) Persons with disabilities who do not have an obligor who complements their income originating from social assistance programs.
(4) Persons who although living above the poverty line are unemployed.
(5) Persons with an average income over the poverty line who work.
History —Jan. 23, 2006, No. 17, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 42 - Priority Employment of Persons Over 60 Years of Age (§§ 622 — 627) › § 627 - Report

The Board shall submit a report on its works and the attainment of this public policy every six (6) months to the Legislature and to the Governor.
History —Jan. 23, 2006, No. 17, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 45 - Social Security for Chauffeurs and Other Employees (§§ 681 — 695) › § 682 - Administration of plan

There is hereby established a social security plan for the chauffeurs of Puerto Rico and other employed persons who in their work operate a motor vehicle, which comprises the sickness, total permanent disability and death [risks] of the insured, his spouse and children under fifteen (15) years of age and a bonus after attaining the age of sixty-five (65) or more years. The Secretary of Labor and Human Resources shall be responsible for the administration of the plan hereby established; shall appoint the necessary personnel to this end pursuant to the provisions of the Puerto Rico Public Service Personnel Act, and may organize in his department the necessary office or offices for this purpose.
The Secretary of Labor and Human Resources shall promulgate the rules he may deem necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter and may delegate any powers and duties he may deem convenient to the persons he may appoint to direct and administer the plan hereby established.
History —May 15, 1950, No. 428, p. 1038, § 2; May 14, 1952, No. 454, p. 924, § 2; June 21, 1968, No. 111, p. 227; June 21, 1971, No. 48, p. 136; Nov. 23, 1975, No. 8, p. 934, § 2; July 20, 1979, No. 172, p. 450, § 3; June 18, 1980, No. 149, p. 663, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 45 - Social Security for Chauffeurs and Other Employees (§§ 681 — 695) › § 686a - Insured persons sixty-five (65) or over; single payment as bonus

Every insured who has attained the age of sixty-five (65) years or more shall receive, upon his petition, a single payment as bonus. To be entitled to said payment the insured shall have paid the Chauffeurs and Other Employees Social Security Fund the amount of dues corresponding to forty (40) weeks or more in the period comprised in the four (4) contributing quarters ending immediately before the date he attained age sixty-five (65) or on the date he files his petition after attaining said age.
To avail him/herself of the payment of the bonus, the insured shall voluntarily request the cancellation of his/her chauffeur’s or heavy-motor vehicle or motorcycle operator’s license issued by the Department of Transportation and Public Works.
The single payment to be granted as bonus shall be determined by applying fifty percent (50%) of the amount established by the scale at age sixty-four (64) in § 686 of this title for permanent total disability.
The foregoing provisions shall not prevent the insured person from applying for and obtaining a motorcycle operator’s license. If the insured person’s license is a driver’s license or motorcycle operator’s license, its cancellation shall not be required.
History —May 15, 1950, No. 428, p. 1038, added as § 5-A on Nov. 23, 1975, No. 8, p. 934, § 6; renumbered as § 6 and amended on June 18, 1980, No. 149, p. 663, § 7; Dec. 30, 1995, No. 262, § 9.