reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 18A - Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration (§§ 402 — 402s) › § 402f - Secretary

Within the framework of this chapter, the Secretary shall have the following functions and powers:
(a) Appoint and supervise the Administrator, and fix his/her salary.
(b) Counsel the Governor of Puerto Rico and the Legislature on the drafting and implementation of public policy with regard to mental health and addiction.
(c) Coordinate with the Administrator the assignment of personnel of the Department to the Administration, and of the Administration to the Department, based on criteria that will propitiate the most efficient use of the human resources, without affecting the functions indicated by law to the Administration or the Department. The assignment of employees will be effective as long as the Secretary and the Administrator understand that the needs of the service require it. The rights and salary schedules of the employees thus assigned shall be safeguarded. It is hereby provided that no assignment of Department employees to the Administration, or of the Administration to the Department, may affect negatively, or reduce the salary schedules, rights and benefits of the employees thus assigned.
(d) Authorize the distribution, dispensing, manufacture, and prescription of controlled substances for medical use; supervise the manufacture, distribution, dispensing and delivery of any controlled substance included in Classifications II through V; seize controlled substances used medically, and property, connected with the unauthorized possession of controlled substances for medical use.
(e) Investigate any violation of a criminal or administrative nature of §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 24, known as the “Puerto Rico Controlled Substances Act”, when said violations are related to the manufacture, distribution, dispensing and delivery of any controlled substance included in Classifications II, III, IV and V of these sections, and those related to controlled substances in Classification I, when a certificate of registration has been issued to perform research with said substances.
(f) Delegate on the Controlled Substances Inspectors all the faculties that correspond to an officer of the law, which include, among others, the power to have, hold, bear, transport and use firearms under the provisions of Act No. 17 of January 19, 1951, as amended, known as the “Weapons Law of Puerto Rico”, the power to make arrests, to enforce and serve search orders and subpoenas, the power to seize property pursuant to the provisions of § 2512 of Title 24, and the power to take oaths and sworn statements, as well as the powers related to the registration of manufacturers, distributors, and dispensers, and any others deemed necessary or convenient.
(g) After notification by the Puerto Rico Physicians Examining Board, of every resolution or order imposing sanctions on a physician, the Secretary shall take the necessary measures with regard to the registries of persons duly-authorized to prescribe controlled substances.
History —Aug. 7, 1993, No. 67, § 7, eff. 60 days after Aug. 7, 1993.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 18A - Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration (§§ 402 — 402s) › § 402h - Diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation

The Administration and/or those institutions licensed thereby shall admit persons with mental disorders and/or addiction, whose admission has been ordered by any court of competent jurisdiction, or to addicts and mentally-ill persons who voluntarily request it, for diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation in the facilities under its jurisdiction.
Priority for admission to treatment and rehabilitation in the Administration’s facilities shall be given to persons of limited financial resources, over others who have the needed financial resources to use private facilities or institutions. The criteria to determine whether a person has limited financial resources shall be used by the Department in rendering medical-hospital services chargeable to public funds within the Medical-Hospital Assistance Plan.
History —Aug. 7, 1993, No. 67, § 9, eff. 60 days after Aug. 7, 1993.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 18A - Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration (§§ 402 — 402s) › § 402i - Judicial procedure—Involuntary treatment of persons with mental disorders

The Mental Health Code of Puerto Rico, Act No. 116 of June 12, 1980, establishes the procedure to be followed in those cases that persons manifest mental disorders.
History —Aug. 7, 1993, No. 67, § 10, eff. 60 days after Aug. 7, 1993.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 18A - Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration (§§ 402 — 402s) › § 402l - Costs, responsibility

The Department of Health and the Corrections Administration shall assume the responsibility for the costs incurred by the Administration or by the duly-licensed programs for the services rendered to the prisoners. The costs shall be established through agreements between the Secretary, the Administrator and the Corrections Administrator.
History —Aug. 7, 1993, No. 67, § 13, eff. 60 days after Aug. 7, 1993.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 18A - Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration (§§ 402 — 402s) › § 402m - Minors under 18 years of age, or mentally-impaired persons

In the case of minors under eighteen (18) years of age who are addicted to narcotic drugs, or dependent on depressant or stimulant drugs, or alcohol, or with mental problems, the Administrator shall first obtain the authorization of the father or mother, the tutor or the person in charge, to offer them treatment or rehabilitation. When the father, mother, tutor or person in charge of a minor or a mentally-impaired person refuses to give said authorization, the Administrator is empowered to initiate the corresponding action before any part of a competent court, for it to authorize the individual’s treatment or rehabilitation in the facilities or institutions of the Administration or in private, duly-licensed facilities or institutions.
The Administration or any private duly-licensed program shall admit for treatment and rehabilitation, any minor who is an addict or drug user or who has problems with alcohol, who wants to receive treatment for his/her condition.
History —Aug. 7, 1993, No. 67, § 14, eff. 60 days after Aug. 7, 1993.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 18A - Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration (§§ 402 — 402s) › § 402n - Minors under court jurisdiction

In the case of minors who are addicted to narcotic drugs, or dependent on depressant or stimulant drugs, or who are alcoholics, who are under court jurisdiction, the Administration is empowered to appear before it and request that the minor be referred and confined in a specific facility of the Administration, or in private, duly-licensed institutions, for diagnosis, treatment or rehabilitation. The court may direct, in consideration of the Administration’s petition and the minor’s and the community’s welfare, that the minor be placed in the custody of the Administration, for it to admit the minor to the institution that is adequate for his/her treatment and rehabilitation. The Administrator shall not terminate the period of custody, nor may remove the minor from the court’s jurisdiction without its prior authorization. The Administration shall coordinate with the court for it to report all those cases in which minors addicted to narcotic drugs, or dependent on depressant or stimulant drugs, or alcohol, are involved.
History —Aug. 7, 1993, No. 67, § 15, eff. 60 days after Aug. 7, 1993.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 18A - Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration (§§ 402 — 402s) › § 402p - Effectiveness of agreements, covenants, claims and contracts

No provision of this chapter shall be construed as modifying, altering or invalidating any agreement, contract, covenant or claim in effect on the date of approval of this act and during the transfer period. Once the transfer is completed, the Administrator may negotiate, terminate, or modify said agreements, covenants, or contracts, through regulations approved to such effects.
History —Aug. 7, 1993, No. 67, § 17, eff. 60 days after Aug. 7, 1993.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 18A - Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration (§§ 402 — 402s) › § 402q - Regulations

So that the continuity of the programs and services are not affected negatively by the transfers authorized by this chapter, it is hereby authorized as a transitional measure, that those regulations, rules and orders that apply to the Department of Addiction Services, and the Deputy Secretariat of Mental Health of the Department of Health, which are not in conflict with this chapter, shall continue in effect until they are amended, repealed or replaced by the Administrator. The regulations authorized under this chapter shall be promulgated within one (1) year from the date of approval of this act.
History —Aug. 7, 1993, No. 67, § 18, eff. 60 days after Aug. 7, 1993.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 18A - Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration (§§ 402 — 402s) › § 402r - Reference

Any statute that refers to the Department of Addiction Services or the Deputy Secretariat of Mental Health of the Department of Health, shall be construed to refer to the Administration of Mental Health and Addiction Services, as of the effective date of this act.
History —Aug. 7, 1993, No. 67, § 19, eff. 60 days after Aug. 7, 1993.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 18A - Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration (§§ 402 — 402s) › § 402s - Personnel

With regard to the transfers provided by this chapter, all employees affected thereby are hereby guaranteed all the rights, privileges, obligations and conditions acquired under the personnel laws and regulations in effect on the date of approval of this act, as well as those concerning the retirement system, and savings and loan funds to which they are affiliated or have availed themselves of, on the approval of this act.
The Secretary or the Administrator shall take any measures needed to transfer, relocate, reclassify or carry out any other personnel transaction, so that the employment security of the employees affected by this chapter is protected to the maximum.
The Administrator shall be an individual administrator pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 5 of October 14, 1975, known as the “Puerto Rico Public Service Personnel Act”, and shall follow the norms of the merit system.
History —Aug. 7, 1993, No. 67, § 20, eff. 60 days after Aug. 7, 1993.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 411 - Secretary of Transportation and Public Works—Powers and duties

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall superintend all the Commonwealth public works, and shall be in charge of all Commonwealth property, including public buildings, roads and bridges, water power, unnavigable streams and their beds, subterranean waters, mines and minerals under the surface of private lands, public grounds and public lands, public registries and archives and reclaimed lands, with the exception of all properties adjudicated to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for the collection of taxes on or before the effective date of this act, that are not used for public purposes; Provided, That the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Justice shall be charged with the administration and disposition of the real property thus adjudicated, which they may dispose of through leasing or sale at public auction, according to the regulations approved by them, the proceeds of which shall be covered into the General Fund.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 133; May 12, 1942, No. 212, p. 1064, § 8; July 2, 1981, No. 18, p. 120.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 412 - Secretary of Transporation and Public Works—Contract and construction duties

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall have the following duties:
(1) To approve any and all projects devised for all public works, and no work shall be undertaken until this requirement is met.
(2) To draft and sign, on behalf of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, all contracts and agreements entered into for carrying out the construction or repair of public works or for the purchase of materials. In this respect, the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall be the lawful successor of the Commissioner of the Interior and the Superintendent of Public Works in all contracts drafted and signed by the latter on behalf of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(3) To approve the adjudication made by the Board of Awards.
(4) To determine and approve the provisional and final liquidation of all works carried out; no contract shall be deemed completed or work accepted until this requirement is met.
(5) To direct the construction of any public work by force account in accordance with the provisions of §§ 41-46 of Title 22.
(6) To regulate any company, natural person, juridical person, and business regardless of the manner in which it was constituted, that owns, controls, exploits, or administers any pipeline in Puerto Rico used in relation to, or to facilitate the transmission, storage, distribution or delivery of any product by pipeline.
(7) To regulate the transmission, distribution, or delivery of natural gas by pipeline, as well as the import, production, generation, transmission, delivery, supply or distribution of natural gas, processed or derived, or any other liquid capable of being converted into natural gas, and distributed by pipeline, cylinder, or any other type of container. In addition, the Secretary shall oversee and enforce compliance by the companies, business, and natural or juridical persons regulated under this subsection with the rules and regulations he/she promulgates, as well as the rules and regulations of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration of the United States Department of Transportation or their successors, in accordance with the corresponding interagency agreements.
(8) To carryout and fulfill any other duty of the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works that may be prescribed by law.
(9) To prescribe any rules and regulations, not in conflict with §§. 417—423, 412, 413 of Title 3, §§ 1—5 and 41—45 of Title 22, as he/she may deem necessary for the performance of the duties of his/her office.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 407; May 10, 1950, No. 273, p. 708, § 1; Sept. 5, 2014, No. 149, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 413 - Secretary of Transportation and Public Works—Discretionary powers

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall have power to do or cause to be done, all things, and to decide all questions concerning the Commonwealth public works, which may not be provided for in §§ 412, 413, 417—423 of this title and §§ 1—5, 41—46 of Title 22, and as may in his judgment be most advantageous to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 408.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 413a - Agreements with other agencies for carrying out public works; transfer of funds

(a) The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works is hereby empowered to enter into agreements with agencies, departments, public corporations, instrumentalities, dependencies or political subdivisions of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and with federal agencies of the Government of the United States of America for the carrying out of permanent public works or improvements. To this end, the agencies, departments, public corporations, instrumentalities, dependencies or political subdivisions of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are hereby authorized to transfer to the Department of Transportation and Public Works and funds heretofore or hereafter appropriated for public works or improvements pursuant to the provisions of the act or resolution carrying the appropriation.
(b) The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works is hereby further empowered, when in his judgment he may deem it most expedient for the proper compliance with the act or resolution appropriating to him funds for public works or improvements, to transfer to the agencies, departments, instrumentalities, dependencies or political subdivisions of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico the funds so appropriated by such acts or resolutions.
History —June 9, 1956, No. 42, p. 130, §§ 1, 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 414 - Organization of Department

The internal organization of the Department of Transportation and Public Works shall be that which the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works, with the approval of the Governor of Puerto Rico, may deem necessary.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 134; Mar. 12, 1903, p. 49, § 1; May 15, 1945, No. 301, p. 1146, § 3; May 10, 1950, No. 273, p. 708, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 416 - Annual report to Governor

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall, on or before the first day of October of each year, transmit to the Governor a full report of the operations of his department, of all expenditures made therein, together with such statements, facts and explanations bearing upon the construction and maintenance of public roads and buildings, and such suggestions and recommendations as to the general policy of the Commonwealth in respect to the same, as may seem to him appropriate.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 136.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 417 - Public buildings, works, and properties in charge of Secretary

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall have charge of all public buildings belonging to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and of all Commonwealth public works of whatever kind and name, whether such works be paid for with funds appropriated for the purpose by the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, or with funds donated or appropriated by any person or corporation or by the Government or Congress of the United States for the benefit of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and also of all property ceded by the government of Spain to the United States, the administration whereof was placed under the control of the government of Puerto Rico by the provisions of § 13 of the law of Congress entitled “An Act temporarily, to provide revenues and a civil government for Puerto Rico, and for other purposes.”
History —Political Code, 1902, § 393.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 418 - Public works defined

For the purpose of §§ 412, 413, 417—423 of this title, and §§ 1—5, 41—46 of Title 22, the term Commonwealth public works shall include, in addition to the specific provisions of § 417 of this title, all works that may be of general use and benefit to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, all constructions that may be destined for services of which the Commonwealth government has charge, and all other works, which, although not included within the meaning of the foregoing provisions, may hereafter be declared as such by the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 396.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 419 - Commonwealth roads defined

The term Commonwealth roads as used in §§ 412, 413, 417—423 of this title, and §§ 1—5, 41—46 of Title 22, shall be held to mean all those highways or public roads that have been or may be built, and are or shall be maintained by Commonwealth funds, or those included in the general plan of roads to be built and maintained by Commonwealth funds as may hereafter be approved and enacted by the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 397.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 420 - Local officials to give information to Secretary

It shall be the duty of the municipal authorities who have charge of local public works, and the officials who have charge of municipal, or vicinal or rural roads, to furnish the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works with all the information that he may require regarding such public works and highways, as may be respectively under their charge and direction.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 400; May 10, 1950, No. 273, p. 708, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 421 - Maintenance of roads

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall cause the Commonwealth roads in his charge to be kept in good condition; he shall cause the planting of the necessary shade trees along the roads, renewing such trees whenever necessary.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 403; May 10, 1950, No. 273, p. 708, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 422 - Civil responsibility of Commonwealth

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall be civilly liable for damages for defects, lack of repairs or lack of enough protection to the traveler in any thoroughfare belonging to the Commonwealth and under the responsibility of the Department of Transportation and Public Works, except whenever it is proven that the referred [sic] defects were caused by the violation of the elements, and that there was not sufficient time to remedy them.
The amount of the indemnifications granted by courts by virtue of this Section, shall be limited to the provisions of § 3077 of Title 32.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 404; May 10, 1950, No. 273, p. 708, § 1; Dec. 17, 2003, No. 306, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 423 - Encroachments on Commonwealth highways; removal

No length of possession, or occupancy of land within the limit of any Commonwealth highway, by an owner or occupant of adjoining land, shall create a right to such land in any adjoining owner or occupant or person claiming under him, and any fences, buildings, sheds or other obstructions encroaching upon such Commonwealth highway shall, upon written notice by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works, at once be removed by the owner or occupant of adjoining land; or if not so removed, said Secretary may cause the same to be removed to and upon the adjoining land and at the expense of such owner or occupant.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 405.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 424 - Distribution of Revista de Transportación y Obras Públicas

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works is hereby authorized to set aside annually, out of the funds for the construction, maintenance and repair of roads and bridges, the sum of four thousand, eight hundred dollars ($4,800) for the purchase of one thousand copies monthly of the Revista de Transportacion y Obras Publicas de Puerto Rico, to be distributed to all public works overseers and road masters.
History —May 8, 1928, J.R. No. 53, p. 834, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 425 - Bureau of Mines—Establishment

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works is hereby authorized to establish a Bureau to be known as Bureau of Mines which shall be under the Department of Transportation and Public Works and shall operate under the direction of the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works.
History —July 22, 1935, No. 35, p. 424, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 426 - Bureau of Mines—Administrative duties

The Bureau of Mines shall have charge of all questions regarding licenses for mining investigations; the registration, investigation, and delineation, of mining property; it shall institute proceedings for the granting of mining concessions by the Public Service Commission, and, in general, shall attend to all technical and administrative questions as provided in §§ 111—180 of Title 28; it shall investigate the mineral resources of Puerto Rico and shall do all the field work necessary to determine the extent, quality and commercial value of each of them; it shall promote and encourage the development of these resources by preparing maps, descriptions, and statistics in regard to said resources, as well as all other information for disseminating knowledge thereof, which shall be furnished to the public upon request, upon payment in internal-revenue stamps of the fees which shall be fixed by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works.
History —July 22, 1935, No. 35, p. 424, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 427 - Bureau of Mines—Appointment of personnel

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works is hereby expressly authorized to appoint all the personnel necessary for the best organization and operation of the Bureau of Mines.
History —July 22, 1935, No. 35, p. 424, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 428 - Bureau of Mines—Rules and regulations

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall be empowered to adopt any rules and regulations that may be necessary for the internal government of the Bureau of Mines or to carry out the provisions of §§ 111—180 of Title 28, and that are not in conflict with the provisions thereof. Such rules, after being approved by the Governor and promulgated, shall have the force of law.
History —July 22, 1935, No. 35, p. 424, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 429 - Assistant Secretary in charge of natural resources

There is hereby created the office of Assistant Secretary within the Department of Transportation and Public Works, to be in charge of natural and environmental resources. Said government official shall be appointed by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works and shall be comprised within the Exempt Service under Act Number 345, of May 12, 1947, as amended, known as the “Personnel Act”.
History —June 28, 1968, No. 158, p. 503, § 1, eff. 180 days after June 28, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 429a - Secretary, additional powers

The Secretary shall have, in addition to the powers already granted by law, the following faculties, powers and duties:
(1) To adopt, amend and repeal those regulations he may deem necessary for the fulfillment of the purposes of §§ 429—429i of this title. Once adopted or amended, the regulations shall be promulgated according to the provisions established by Act No. 112 of June 30, 1957.
(2) To acquire, rent, sell or in any other manner dispose of any property considered necessary for the carrying out of the purposes of §§ 429—429i of this title.
(3) To make recommendations to the Governor about the geographical, ecological and areas of a similar nature which should be acquired or reserved by the Government as common and public property of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(4) To grant and execute all legal instruments necessary for the exercise of its powers.
(5) To delegate to its officers and employees those powers and duties he may deem convenient or necessary.
(6) To receive donations on behalf of the Commonwealth, from private persons or entities, as well as technical assistance, funds or property from the Government of the United States of America, for which he is authorized to sign the necessary agreements for such purposes. The donations from private persons or entities shall be exempt from the payment of any type of tax, whether commonwealth or municipal, and the financial value through appraisal as determined by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works, shall be deductible on behalf of the donor, in its total sum.
(7) To perform all those other actions convenient and necessary for the most efficient achievement of the public policy set forth in §§ 429—429i of this title.
History —June 28, 1968, No. 158, p. 503, § 2, eff. 180 days after June 28, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 429b - Additional bureaus and administrative agencies, creation

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall create, within his Department and under the immediate supervision of the Assistant Secretary in charge of natural resources, those bureaus or internal administrative agencies which will assist in the performance and accomplishment of the operations hereby entrusted, among which are included the following:
(1) Make an inventory of all the natural resources of the country and program their adequate utilization and conservation.
(2) Make recommendations to other government agencies about its respective plans and programs in relation to the utilization and conservation of natural resources.
(3) Carry out technical studies in relation to the matters under its responsibility. Among the technical studies it performs, the creation of an Oceanographic Institute and the establishment of a Botanical Garden in Puerto Rico shall be considered.
(4) Preparation of studies which assist the Department to make economical projections on the utilization and exploitation of the natural resources of the country.
(5) Make recommendations to the Department about the best use that should be given to the funds designated for the preservation of the natural resources.
(6) Make an evaluation of the federal laws related to the purposes of §§ 429—429i of this title, which grant benefits to the Commonwealth, its agencies and instrumentalities, political subdivisions and public corporations.
(7) The establishment of an orientation and informative program about the importance of the conservation of the natural resources. Educational programs on the best utilization and conservation of natural resources and natural beauty of Puerto Rico shall be established in coordination with the government agencies concerned or with private groups.
(8) The consultation on matters of law as indicated by the Assistant Secretary. The attorneys of the Department who have been legally admitted to exercise the profession, upon the previous authorization of the Secretary, shall be able to exercise said profession in Puerto Rico on behalf of the Department in any matter related to the purposes of §§ 429—429i of this title.
Likewise, in representation of the Department, may institute possessory actions, injunctions, mandamus, actions to declare void and evictions, as well as any other action known to the courts in Puerto Rico to impede, prohibit or avoid any violation to the regulations of the Department and vacate and remove, through the corresponding judicial procedure, any obstruction which makes the fulfillment of §§ 429—429i of this title ineffective.
History —June 28, 1968, No. 158, p. 503, § 3, eff. 180 days after June 28, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 429f - Special annual report

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall submit to the Legislature and to the Governor, after the closing of each fiscal year, a special report on the activities carried out by its Department in compliance with the provisions of § 429—429i of this title.
History —June 28, 1968, No. 158, p. 503, § 7, eff. 180 days after June 28, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 429g - Appropriation

To perform the functions authorized by §§ 429—429i of this title during the year 1968-1969, there is hereby appropriated from unencumbered funds in the Commonwealth Treasury to the Department of Transportation and Public Works the annual sum of four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000). The necessary funds to carry out the purposes of §§ 429—429i of this title for subsequent years shall be consigned in the annual budget of expenses of the Government.
History —June 28, 1968, No. 158, p. 503, § 8, eff. 180 days after June 28, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 429h - Penalties

Every person who violates the provisions of any regulation approved by virtue of §§ 429—429i of this title shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment in jail for a term of not less than ten (10) days nor more than ninety (90) days or by both penalties at the discretion of the court. In the case of a second offense, a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) shall be imposed, or imprisonment in jail for a term of not less than twenty (20) days, nor more than one hundred eighty (180) days, or both penalties at the discretion of the court.
History —June 28, 1968, No. 158, p. 503, § 9, eff. 180 days after June 28, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 429i - Indemnification of damages

The damages caused to property of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, including those of public and community domain, its agencies and instrumentalities, by acts performed in violation of the regulations herein approved or by action or omission in which negligence is involved, shall be indemnified for their total sum, but in the cases of gross negligence or contempt of court in the performance of the act or omission which caused the damage, the court, at its discretion may impose, in addition to the total sum for the indemnification of the damages, a penalty of up to three times that of the total sum. When the damages are caused to the property of a private citizen, the court may at its discretion, impose a penalty up to three times that of the sum.
History —June 28, 1968, No. 158, p. 503, § 10, eff. 180 days after June 28, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 19 - Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 411 — 430d) › § 430c - Interagency Traffic Committee

(a) Creation.— The Interagency Traffic Committee is hereby created; the same shall be convened by the Secretary in the facilities of the Department of Transportation and Public Works monthly; the place may be changed by the unanimous decision of the members of said Committee.
(b) Composition.— The Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Public Works shall coordinate and preside the Interagency Traffic Committee, which shall be composed of representatives of the following agencies: Department of Transportation and Public Works, Aqueduct and Sewer Authority, Electric Power Authority, Police of Puerto Rico, Department of Consumer Affairs, Infrastructure Financing Authority, Ports Authority, Department of Health, Association of [Mayors], Federation of [Mayors], as deemed pertinent, and any other agency of infrastructure or services to the citizen as it may be necessary. Each entity shall appoint a representative holding an executive position, who may accept petitions and request services without further processing efforts.
(c) Responsibilities.— The Committee shall coordinate the performance of repair, improvements and any other type of project that may affect the public roads of the country; shall identify the needs for repair or improvement works related to the public roads; shall distribute and assign the works to each entity as it corresponds.
(d) Norms.— The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall promulgate the rules and regulations which are needed for the implementation of this section, including at least a regulation of the internal operation of the Committee pursuant to the different laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —Aug. 16, 2002, No. 176, §§ 1—4, eff. 30 days after Aug. 16, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 20A - Department of Housing (§§ 441 — 441j) › § 441 - Short title

This chapter shall be known as the Organic Act of Department of Housing.
History —June 10, 1972, No. 97, p. 242, § 1, eff. Jan. 2, 1973.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 20A - Department of Housing (§§ 441 — 441j) › § 441a - Creation

There is hereby created a government executive department to be known as the Department of Housing (hereafter to be called the Department). It shall be under the direction of the Secretary who shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate (hereafter to be called the Secretary).
History —June 10, 1972, No. 97, p. 242, § 2, eff. Jan. 2, 1973.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 20A - Department of Housing (§§ 441 — 441j) › § 441b - Purpose and functions

The Department shall be the government organization responsible for making and executing the public policy on housing and communal development of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and of administering all the governmental programs in this field. To this end, it shall have, among others, the following functions:
(a) To plan, in consonance with the general guidelines of the central government planning organizations all the efforts of the government aimed at developing the housing and communal development complementary to the housing and to the anticipation and attention of its problems.
(b) To establish the programming standards to attain and administer the development of all the programs and activities in the field of dwellings of social interest.
(c) To carry out the surveys and investigations that may be necessary to carry out its mission.
(d) To direct and supervise all government activities connected with the development, financing and administration of housing programs of social interest and of in-site urban renewal or rehabilitation projects.
(e) To develop the construction of housing projects for cooperatives organized by government organizations responsible for this function. It being understood, further, that the Department of Housing shall coordinate and refer to the agencies of the Cooperative Development Administration and the Cooperative Development Company of Puerto Rico the groups interested in the organization of housing cooperatives to be guided as to everything related with the organization and operation of this kind of cooperative. Provided, That said agencies shall retain the functions of promotion, development, education, organization and qualification of members of housing cooperatives.
(f) To carry out activities and programs to improve the living conditions of the housing communities, and
(g) to promote the participation of private entities in the development of dwellings of social interest and communal development.
History —June 10, 1972, No. 97, p. 242, § 3; Feb. 18, 1976, No. 7, p. 17.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 20A - Department of Housing (§§ 441 — 441j) › § 441c-1 - Purchases, supplies and auxilary services—System and regulation

It is hereby declared that the timely acquisition of materials, supplies, equipment and non-personal services is essential for an effective administration of the obligations of the Department of Housing. Timely availability of all of the materials, supplies, equipment and non-personal services that are essential for the prompt and efficient execution of activities, programs and projects of the Department and rendering of services which the Department is bound to offer, contribute to achieve of the purposes of this chapter.
The Department shall acquire through, purchase, lease, gift or any other legal form, equipment, materials, supplies, goods and non-personal services that are necessary for the functionning and operation of the Department and its attached agencies and for the programs, activities and services to be executed by them.
The Secretary shall design and implement a program or system for the acquisition and distribution of materials, equipment and supplies. The Secretary shall also adopt, the rules, procedures and systems that may be necessary to assure that all requisitions for materials, supplies, equipment and non-personal services are processed without undue delay and at the lowest cost possible. Likewise, it shall establish an effective system for the distribution of materials, equipment and supplies pursuant to the rules established through regulations.
To such effects, the Department of Housing and its operating components are hereby exempted from applicability of the provisions of §§ 931 et seq. of this title, known as the “General Services Administration Organic Act”, subject to the development and implementation of the corresponding regulations and procedures.
History —June 10, 1972, No. 97, p. 242, added as § 4A on Dec. 17, 1999, No. 344, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 20A - Department of Housing (§§ 441 — 441j) › § 441c-2 - Acquisition of equipment, machinery, materials, supplies, goods and services with federal funds

Notwithstanding what has been provided above, the acquisition of equipment, machinery, materials, supplies, goods and services with funds proceeding from programs or projects of the Department of Housing and Urban Development of the United States (HUD), or any other agency of the federal government, shall be conducted pursuant to the processing methods and parameters on money amounts established in the applicable federal regulations, even when only a part thereof is acquired with federal funds.
History —June 10, 1972, No. 97, p. 242, added as § 4B on Dec. 17, 1999, No. 344, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 20A - Department of Housing (§§ 441 — 441j) › § 441c-3 - Acquisition system for equipment, machinery, materials, supplies, goods and non-personal services; Bid Review Board

(a) Except as otherwise provided in the applicable federal regulations, the Department shall be subject to the provisions of Act No. 42 of August 5, 1989 and §§ 927 et seq. of this title, with respect to the use of construction materials manufactured in Puerto Rico in works defrayed with public funds.
(b) The Secretary shall establish through regulations the rules and procedures necessary for the application of the provisions of this section, which shall guarantee the purity of every procedure for acquisition and purchase of goods or for the contracting of works with or without public bid, in order to protect the public interest and that of bidders.
(c) The Bid Review Board is hereby created to attend and resolve the appeals initiated by persons affected by decisions by the Bid Board of the Department and review of decisions in the area of purchases and supplies as entrusted by the Secretary. The Review Board shall also be empowered to formulate recommendations to the Secretary regarding the regulations in effect on purchases and supplies.
The Bid Review Board shall be composed by three (3) persons of the highest moral repute and renowned competence and experience in the matters that they shall be addressing as members of this body. The members of the Review Board shall be appointed by the Secretary and the same shall not be officials or employees of the Department or its attached agencies, nor shall they have any direct or indirect interest in enterprises, businesses or projects that do business with the Department and its attached agencies, or that are total or partially financed by the Department or its attached agencies. The Secretary shall appoint one of its members as Chairman of the Board, who shall be an attorney authorized to exercise the legal profession.
The Review Board shall evaluate and resolve any appeals filed by those persons affected by the decisions of the Bid Board and shall abide by the regulations established for the processing of these appeals pursuant to the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of this title, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedure Act of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico”.
In the exercise of its functions, the Review Board may hold administrative hearings, receive testimonies, summon witnesses, require the presentation of books, documents and any other proof, may receive and examine this and any other relevant evidence, regulate the hearings and issue orders pursuant to its resolutions.
Any decision of the Bid Review Board may be appealed before the Court of First Instance, as established in §§ 2101 et seq. of this title.
History —June 10, 1972, No. 97, p. 242, added as § 4C on Dec. 17, 1999, No. 344, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 20A - Department of Housing (§§ 441 — 441j) › § 441d - Transfers

(a) All the powers, duties, functions, faculties, contracts, obligations, exemptions and privileges of the Urban Renewal and Housing Administration created by Act No. 88 of June 22, 1971, after the abolishment of the latter, transferred to the Department.
(b) The Administration of Social Programs of the Department of Agriculture is hereby transferred with its functions, programs and activities to the Department. Any reference made to the Secretary of Agriculture or to the Department of Agriculture in the laws which regulate the Social Programs Administration shall, hereafter, be understood as having been made to the Secretary.
History —June 10, 1972, No. 97, p. 242, § 5, eff. Jan. 2, 1973.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 20A - Department of Housing (§§ 441 — 441j) › § 441e - Attachment of other instrumentalities

The Housing Bank and Finance Agency of Puerto Rico, created by Act No. 146 of June 30, 1961, is hereby attached to the Department, and shall continue operating as a public corporation with the functions and programs conferred by said sections or any others. The powers and faculties of the Board of Directors of said corporation are hereby transferred to the Secretary and said board is hereby eliminated.
History —June 10, 1972, No. 97, p. 242, § 6; Aug. 9, 1991, No. 58, § 3; Dec. 13, 1994, No. 135, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 20A - Department of Housing (§§ 441 — 441j) › § 441f - Advisory and consultative committees

The Secretary is hereby authorized to appoint consultative and advisory committees composed of residents of public housing projects and private citizens in representation of the different sectors connected with the commitment of the Department.
History —June 10, 1972, No. 97, p. 242, § 7, eff. Jan. 2, 1973.