reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART X - Health Professionals (§§ 10001 — 12020) › Chapter 602 - Register for Cases of Alzheimer’s Disease (§§ 12011 — 12020) › § 12012 - Register part of Center for the Coordination of Services

The Register shall be part of the Center for the Coordination of Services to Persons Suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease attached to the Department of Health, created by virtue of §§ 12001—12007 of this title, to develop standards and plan and evaluate the services rendered to persons suffering from Alzheimer’s disease as well as to establish and implement mechanisms to research and study this disease.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 237, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART X - Health Professionals (§§ 10001 — 12020) › Chapter 602 - Register for Cases of Alzheimer’s Disease (§§ 12011 — 12020) › § 12013 - Inform Center of Alzheimer’s cases in writing

Any physician who practices his/her profession in Puerto Rico and who diagnoses or has knowledge of any case of Alzheimer’s disease, should inform [that] fact in writing to the Center for the Coordination of Services to Persons Suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease attached to the Department of Health, in the forms provided for such a purpose, within thirty (30) working days as of the date in which he/she obtains knowledge of the case.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 237, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART X - Health Professionals (§§ 10001 — 12020) › Chapter 602 - Register for Cases of Alzheimer’s Disease (§§ 12011 — 12020) › § 12014 - Reporting physician relieved from civil liability

The physician shall be relieved from any civil liability when reporting to the Center for the Coordination of Services to Persons Suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease attached to the Department of Health, the confidential information requested pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 237, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART X - Health Professionals (§§ 10001 — 12020) › Chapter 602 - Register for Cases of Alzheimer’s Disease (§§ 12011 — 12020) › § 12015 - Reports submitted to Center are confidential

The reports shall be submitted to the Center for the Coordination of Services to Persons Suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease attached to the Department of Health, [on] especially designed forms and [shall] include all relevant information to study and follow-up these cases. In processing the data, the Center for the Coordination of Services to Persons Suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease attached to the Department of Health, shall substitute the name of the patient for an alphanumeric code. The reports shall subsequently be classified as “confidential” and be filed in a restricted access area.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 237, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART X - Health Professionals (§§ 10001 — 12020) › Chapter 602 - Register for Cases of Alzheimer’s Disease (§§ 12011 — 12020) › § 12016 - Use of report information

The information included in the Register may be used for statistical studies, scientific research, and educational purposes provided the users are advised that they may not divulge any type of information that may lead to the identification of the patient in question.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 237, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART X - Health Professionals (§§ 10001 — 12020) › Chapter 602 - Register for Cases of Alzheimer’s Disease (§§ 12011 — 12020) › § 12017 - Examination and analysis of brain tissues

The Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico is hereby authorized to conduct, in coordination and mutual agreement with the Department of Health, the necessary research projects, studies, or medical tests on persons who have so authorized and have been referred by a physician to allow for the early and adequate diagnosis, detection or treatment of the Alzheimer’s disease. The fiscal resources designated from any source for the purposes of conducting the necessary research projects, studies, or medical tests on persons who have so authorized and are referred by a physician to allow for the early and adequate diagnosis, detection or treatment of the Alzheimer’s disease, shall be under the custody, control, and oversight of the Department of Health. Once these tests have been conducted and the disease has been diagnosed, the patient shall be entered in the Register. The Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico is further authorized to conduct a thorough examination and analytical study of the brain tissue affected or deteriorated by Alzheimer’s disease upon the death of a person medically diagnosed as suffering from said disease or an analogous disease, if authorized in writing by the deceased or the person legally authorized to dispose of his/her body. It is furthermore provided that the cost of this postmortem cerebral biopsy diagnostic procedure be defrayed from the funds appropriated to the Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico for such purposes.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 237, § 7; Sept. 16, 2004, No. 368, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART X - Health Professionals (§§ 10001 — 12020) › Chapter 602 - Register for Cases of Alzheimer’s Disease (§§ 12011 — 12020) › § 12018 - Regulations

The Secretary of Health shall provide, through regulations, the standards that shall govern the Register so that the procedures related to the research and study of Alzheimer’s disease may be carried out, and shall coordinate with the Medical Sciences campus of the University of Puerto Rico and other medical institutions in Puerto Rico or from abroad that conduct similar studies, the efforts needed to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 237, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART X - Health Professionals (§§ 10001 — 12020) › Chapter 602 - Register for Cases of Alzheimer’s Disease (§§ 12011 — 12020) › § 12019 - Penalties

Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter or its regulations shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, if convicted, shall be punished with a term of imprisonment not to exceed six (6) months or with a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) or with both penalties at the discretion of the court.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 237, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART X - Health Professionals (§§ 10001 — 12020) › Chapter 602 - Register for Cases of Alzheimer’s Disease (§§ 12011 — 12020) › § 12020 - Donations

The Secretary of Health may accept donations to be used for the prevention, education, study and research or for other similar purposes related to Alzheimer’s disease. The funds thus obtained shall be covered into the Health Fund created by Act No. 26 of November 13, 1975, and shall be used exclusively according to the provisions of this chapter.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 237, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART XI - Tobacco Act (§§ 15001 — 15010) › Chapter 701 - Act to Regulate Tobacco Product Manufacturers’ Responsibilities to the Government of Puerto Rico (§§ 15001 — 15004) › § 15003 - Doubt or conflict

In the event of doubt or conflict between this chapter and Act No. 401 of September 9, 2000, the provisions of this chapter shall control.
History —Dec. 28, 2000, No. 453, § 3; June 29, 2001, No. 47, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART XI - Tobacco Act (§§ 15001 — 15010) › Chapter 701 - Act to Regulate Tobacco Product Manufacturers’ Responsibilities to the Government of Puerto Rico (§§ 15001 — 15004) › § 15003a - English version controlling

It is hereby declared that the official text of this law is the English version thereof and if in the interpretation and application of this law any conflict arises as between the Spanish and English texts thereof, the latter shall prevail over the former.
History —Dec. 28, 2000, No. 453, added as § 4 on June 29, 2001, No. 47, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART XI - Tobacco Act (§§ 15001 — 15010) › Chapter 701 - Act to Regulate Tobacco Product Manufacturers’ Responsibilities to the Government of Puerto Rico (§§ 15001 — 15004) › § 15004 - Master Settlement Agreement

History —Sept. 9, 2000, No. 401, § 2; June 29, 2001, No. 47, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART XI - Tobacco Act (§§ 15001 — 15010) › Chapter 702 - Act of Compliance to Regulate the Tobacco Products Manufacturers Liability to the Government of Puerto Rico (§§ 15005 — 15010) › § 15005 - Definitions

(a) Master Settlement Agreement. — Has the same meaning as provided in Act No. 401 of Septemeber 9, 2000, better known as the “Act to Regulate the Tobacco Products Manufacturers Liability to the Government of Puerto Rico”.
(b) Cigarette. — Has the same meaning as provided in Act No. 401 of Septemeber 9, 2000, better known as the “Act to Regulate the Tobacco Products Manufacturers Liability to the Government of Puerto Rico”.
(c) Distributor. — Means any distributor, retailer or intermediary similar to other intermediaries that sell cigarettes to consumers in Puerto Rico, as provided in § 9056 of Title 13, known as the “Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code of 1994”.
(d) Family of brand names. — Means all types of cigarettes sold under the same brand and that differ among themselves by modifiers or additional descriptive terms, including but not limited to “menthol,” “light,” “Kings,” and “100’s” and including any brand name (alone or in conjunction with another word), trademark, logo, symbol, slogan, sales message, recognizable color pattern and any other means of identifying the product identical or similar to, or identifiable with, a formerly known brand of cigarettes.
(e) Qualified escrow fund. — Has the same meaning as said term is defined in Act No. 401 of September 9, 2000, better known as the “Act to Regulate the Tobacco Products Manufacturers Liability to the Government of Puerto Rico”.
(f) Non-participating manufacturer. — Means any cigarette manufacturer that is not a participating manufacturer.
(g) Participating manufacturer. — Has the same meaning as said term is defined in Section II(jj) of the Master Settlement Agreement and Act No. 401 of September 9, 2000, better known as the “Act to Regulate the Tobacco Products Manufacturers Liability to the Government of Puerto Rico”.
(h) Tobacco products manufacturer. — Has the same meaning as said term is defined in Act No. 401 of September 9, 2000, better known as the “Act to Regulate the Tobacco Products Manufacturers Liability to the Government of Puerto Rico”.
(i) Secretary of the Treasury. — Means the Secretary of the Department of the Treasury of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as provided by §§ 231a et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Department of the Treasury Organic Act”.
(j) Secretary of Justice. — Means the Secretary of the Department of Justice of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as provided in §§ 72 and 73 of Title 3.
(k) Sold units. — Has the same meaning as said term is defined in Act No. 401 of September 9, 2000, better known as the “Act to Regulate the Tobacco Products Manufacturers Liability to the Government of Puerto Rico”.
History —Sept. 15, 2004, No. 305, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART XI - Tobacco Act (§§ 15001 — 15010) › Chapter 702 - Act of Compliance to Regulate the Tobacco Products Manufacturers Liability to the Government of Puerto Rico (§§ 15005 — 15010) › § 15007 - Agent for serving summons

(a) Requirements. — Any non-domestic or foreign non-participating manufacturer that has not registered to conduct business in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as a foreign corporation or business entity must, as a condition for its families of brands to be included or retained in the official list appoint and continuously commit without interrupting the services of an agent residing in Puerto Rico that acts as agent for serving summons on whom every summons served and any action or proceeding against the latter related to, or arising from the execution of this chapter and Act No. 401 of September 9, 2000, better known as the “Act to Regulate the Tobacco Products Manufacturers Liability to the Government of Puerto Rico” and Act No. 453 of December 28, 2000, as amended, may be served a summons in any manner authorized by law. Said serving of a summons shall constitute the legal and valid serving of a summons to the non-participating manufacturer. the non-participating manufacturer shall provide the name, address, telephone number and proof of appointment and availability of said agent to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Justice.
(b) The non-participating manufacturer shall notify the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Justice thirty (30) calendar days prior to the termination of the authority of a resident agent and shall furthermore provide evidence to the satisfaction of the Secretary of Justice of the appointment of a new agent within not less than five (5) calendar days prior to the termination of an existing agent. In the case of the termination of the appointment of an agent as resident agent, the non-participating manufacturer shall notify the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Justice of said termination within five (5) calendar days and shall include satisfactory evidence to the Secretary of Justice of the appointment of the new agent.
(c) Any non-participating manufacturer whose cigarettes are sold in Puerto Rico, who has not appointed or contracted a resident agent as herein required, shall be considered as having appointed the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as said agent and an action may be brought against the former in the courts of the Commonwealth of Puerto through a summons issued by the Secretary of State; Provided, however, That the appointment of the Secretary of State as said agent shall not satisfy the preceding condition that requires that the family of brands of the non-participating manufacturer be included or retained in the official list.
History —Sept. 15, 2004, No. 305, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART XI - Tobacco Act (§§ 15001 — 15010) › Chapter 702 - Act of Compliance to Regulate the Tobacco Products Manufacturers Liability to the Government of Puerto Rico (§§ 15005 — 15010) › § 15009 - Penalties and other remedies

(a) Revocation of license and civil penalty. — Besides or instead of any other civil or criminal remedy provided by law, after determining that any natural or juridical person or a distributor has violated the provisions of § 15006(c) of this title or any regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter, the Secretary of the Treasury may revoke or suspend the license of a cigarette dealer in the manner provided by the Section [sic] of Act No. 120 of October 31, 1999 [sic], as amended, known as the “Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code of 1994”. Every label fixed or sale or offer to sell cigarettes in violation of § 15006(c) of this title shall constitute a separate violation. For each violation of this chapter, the Secretary of the Treasury may also impose a civil penalty in an amount that shall not be greater that five hundred percent (500%) of the retail value of the cigarettes or five thousand dollars ($5,000) in a determination as to the violation of § 15006(c) of this title or any regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(b) Contraband and confiscation. — Any cigarettes sold, offered for sale or possessed for sale in Puerto Rico in violation of § 15006(c) of this title shall be deemed as contraband under Section 8140 [sic] of Act No. 120 of October 31, 1999 [sic], as amended, known as the “Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code of 1994”, and said cigarettes shall be subject to seizure and confiscation as provided in said Section, and all cigarettes so seized and confiscated shall be destroyed and not resold.
(c) Injunction. — The Secretary of Justice, on behalf of the Secretary of the Treasury, may solicit an injunction to restrict a real threat or violation of §§ 15006(c), 15008(a) or (d), all of this title, by any natural or juridical person, including any distributor, and to demand that the latter comply with said sections. In any action initiated pursuant to this section, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall be entitled to recover the costs of the investigation, the costs of the action and reasonable attorney’s fees.
(d) Illegal sale and distribution. — It shall be illegal for a person to:
(1) Sell or distribute cigarettes, or
(2) acquire, retain, own, possess, transport, import or promote the importation of cigarettes, that the person knows or should know are intended for distribution or sale in Puerto Rico in violation of § 15006(c) of this title. A violation of this section shall be a misdemeanor as provided by Section 8140 [sic] of Act No. 120 of October 31, 1999 [sic], as amended, known as the “Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code of 1994”.
History —Sept. 15, 2004, No. 305, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9 - Emergency Succession (§§ 161 — 168) › § 161 - Short title

This chapter shall be known as the “Emergency Succession Act”.
History —June 6, 1963, No. 55, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9 - Emergency Succession (§§ 161 — 168) › § 162 - Statement of policy

In order to assure the continuity of the effective operation of the Government of Puerto Rico in case of an emergency arising as a consequence of an attack of large proportions to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and to provide the necessary means for the resumption of government functions temporarily suspended as a result of said attack, it is hereby declared necessary to establish a line of succession for the departments and agencies of the Executive Branch of the Government of Puerto Rico and the public corporations.
History —June 6, 1963, No. 55, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9 - Emergency Succession (§§ 161 — 168) › § 163 - Definitions

The following words and phrases shall have the meanings hereinbelow expressed, except as otherwise clearly indicated by the context of this chapter:
(a) Attack.— Means any attack or series of atacks by an enemy of the United States or of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico which causes or may cause substantial damages or injury to the property or persons in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, by means of sabotage, or by the use of bombs, missiles, thermonuclear devices, shellfire, chemical products, bacteria, biological means, or other weapons or warlike processes.
(b) Officers.— Includes the Government Secretaries and the heads, administrators or executive directors of the agencies of the Executive Branch and of the public corporations whose powers and duties are defined or established by the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, laws, regulations, or any administrative reorganization plan, except the heads, administrators, officers or members of the Judicial and Legislative Branches of the Government of Puerto Rico.
(c) Unavailable.— Means that a vacancy in office exists and there is no deputy authorized to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the office, or that the office incumbent, including the deputy exercising the powers and discharging the duties of an office because of a vacancy, and his duly authorized deputy, are absent or unable to exercise the functions of the office once the attack has passed.
History —June 6, 1963, No. 55, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9 - Emergency Succession (§§ 161 — 168) › § 164 - Emergency interim successors

All officers of the departments and agencies of the Executive Branch of the Government and of the public corporations, in addition to any other person appointed deputy pursuant to law, regulation or administrative plan to exercise all of the powers and discharge the duties of the office, shall designate, for the administrative organization of their respective departments, agencies and public corporations, emergency interim successors and specify their line of succession. The officers shall revise said line of succession so that the designations made under this chapter be kept up to date. Emergency interim successors shall be designated in a sufficient number so that at no time will there be, if possible, within the administrative organization of the corresponding government entity, less than three or more than seven interim successors in the different departments, agencies or public corporations. When the administrative organization of the corresponding entity does not permit the designation of this number of emergency interim successors, it shall be done in such a manner as to guarantee the continuity of the essential services rendered by the organization.
In the event that any officer or his substitute is unavailable following an attack, the powers of said officer shall be exercised by his emergency interim successor in the previously established line of succession. The emergency interim successor shall exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the office until the Governor designates a successor or incumbent, or until said officer or his substitute, or the successor that precedes him in the line of emergency interim succession, is available to exercise or resume, as the case may be, the duties and powers of his office.
As to the Secretaries of the Executive Branch of the Government, or agency heads, and administrative or executive directors of public corporations who are appointed by the Governor or by the boards of directors of said public corporations, the line of emergency interim succession shall be established by the Governor of Puerto Rico or the person to whom he may delegate. In this case the line of succession to be established shall be extended to not more than five persons within each department, agency or public corporation.
Emergency interim successors, during the time they exercise the duties and powers of the office they are to discharge provisionally, shall do so with the same salary of the office they regularly hold in their respective departments, agencies and public corporations.
History —June 6, 1963, No. 55, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9 - Emergency Succession (§§ 161 — 168) › § 165 - Formalities of taking office

In taking office, the emergency interim successors shall take such oaths as may be necessary to assure the faithful fulfillment of the exercise of the functions of the office they will hold. Any other provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, no person designated to succeed another pursuant to this chapter shall be required to comply with any other provisions to exercise the duties of an office.
Designations made hereunder shall not be considered as a regular appointment to a given office.
History —June 6, 1963, No. 55, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9 - Emergency Succession (§§ 161 — 168) › § 166 - Period in which authority may be exercised

Emergency interim successors shall be authorized to exercise the powers of an office only when the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico has been attacked.
History —June 6, 1963, No. 55, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9 - Emergency Succession (§§ 161 — 168) › § 167 - Registry of designations

Designations of emergency interim successors made in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, or changes thereto, shall be notified to the Secretary of State of Puerto Rico, who shall keep a registry of same.
History —June 6, 1963, No. 55, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9 - Emergency Succession (§§ 161 — 168) › § 168 - Replacement of designees

Persons designated as emergency interim successors shall be authorized to hold and exercise the powers of the office until replaced in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
History —June 6, 1963, No. 55, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9B - Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (§§ 172 — 173f) › Subchapter I - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency Act (§§ 172 — 172s) › § 172 - Statement of public policy

It is hereby stated that the public policy of the Government of Puerto Rico is to protect our inhabitants in those emergency situations or disasters that affect the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and to provide them with the necessary assistance in the speediest and most effective manner possible to ensure the protection of their lives and property before, during and after the event. Likewise, it is the obligation of the Government to achieve the earliest recovery and stabilization of the services essential to our citizens and to our industrial, commercial and governmental activities.
In order to execute this public policy, the Government of Puerto Rico hereby creates the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency, with the power and responsibility of coordinating all pertinent Commonwealth, federal, municipal and private plans. The Commonwealth Agency shall coordinate its efforts with other states and territories of the union to achieve this purpose, within the scope of the laws, standards, and regulations of Puerto Rico and the United States.
The Commonwealth Agency may solicit, receive and process offers of help from natural or juridical persons from the private sector of any part of the world, and shall be responsible for the most effective use of the human and economic resources available wherever they may be, within the laws, standards and regulations of Puerto Rico and the United States.
History —Aug. 2, 1999, No. 211, § 2, eff. 60 days after Aug. 2, 1999.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9B - Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (§§ 172 — 173f) › Subchapter I - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency Act (§§ 172 — 172s) › § 172b - Creation

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency is hereby created, to be attached to the Puerto Rico Public Safety and Protection Commission.
History —Aug. 2, 1999, No. 211, § 4, eff. 60 days after Aug. 2, 1999.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9B - Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (§§ 172 — 173f) › Subchapter I - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency Act (§§ 172 — 172s) › § 172c - Personnel system

The Commonwealth Agency shall establish and administer its personnel system according to the systems, regulations, standards, and procedures approved by the Commissioner, pursuant to Act No. 5 of October 14, 1975, known as the “Puerto Rico Public Service Personnel Act”, and Act No. 89 of July 12, 1979, known as the “Puerto Rico Uniform Compensation Act”. The Administrator of the Central Labor Advisory and Human Resources Administration Office shall approve the classification and uniform compensation plans pursuant to said laws, once the certification of availability of funds has been issued by the Office of Management and Budget.
All employees of the Commonwealth Civil Defense Agency are guaranteed their jobs and rights acquired under the personnel laws and regulations, as well as the rights, privileges, obligations and status regarding any existing pension, or retirement system or systems, or savings and loan funds to which they were affiliated when this act was approved.
The Commonwealth Agency shall establish and administer its accounting, account management, procurement, and record and file administration systems, as well as any other administrative and operational support systems, according to the management procedures and the standards approved by the Commission.
The Commonwealth Agency, in the performance of the functions conferred by this subchapter, shall be exempted from the payment of any kind of Commonwealth or municipal fees, tariffs, rates, patents and excises, as well as from the payment of income taxes.
History —Aug. 2, 1999, No. 211, § 5, eff. 60 days after Aug. 2, 1999.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9B - Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (§§ 172 — 173f) › Subchapter I - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency Act (§§ 172 — 172s) › § 172d - Director—Appointment

The Commonwealth Agency shall be headed by a director appointed by the Commissioner of the Puerto Rico Public Safety and Protection Commission, in consultation with the Governor. The Director shall receive the compensation established by Act No. 13 of June 24, 1989. The Director shall perform his duties at the discretion of the Commissioner and shall be a person of recognized moral probity, capacity and knowledge in the areas to be managed by the Commonwealth Agency.
History —Aug. 2, 1999, No. 211, § 6, eff. 60 days after Aug. 2, 1999.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9B - Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (§§ 172 — 173f) › Subchapter I - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency Act (§§ 172 — 172s) › § 172f - Deputy Director

The Director may appoint a Deputy Director who will assist him or her in the performance of his or her functions and substitute [for] him or her as Acting Executive Director in case of his or her temporary absence, until the Director returns to work, or in the event of vacancy, until the new incumbent takes office. The qualifications, functions, and salary of the Deputy Director shall be fixed by the Director.
History —Aug. 2, 1999, No. 211, § 8; Dec. 28, 2000, No. 447, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9B - Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (§§ 172 — 173f) › Subchapter I - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency Act (§§ 172 — 172s) › § 172g - Coordination with the Government of the United States

(a) Situations governed by a presidential emergency or disaster declaration.— To the extent practicable, the emergency and disaster management plans and programs of the Government of Puerto Rico shall be coordinated with those of the Government of the United States.
The Director, under the supervision of the Commissioner, shall be responsible for the coordination and implementation of said plans and programs, and shall act as liaison between the Government of Puerto Rico and the Government of the United States to such ends.
(b) Situations governed by a declaration of a state of emergency or disaster issued by the Governor of Puerto Rico.— In situations where the intervention of the agency is pertinent, the Governor of Puerto Rico shall decree a state of emergency or disaster through an executive order, and the Director, under the supervision of the Commissioner, shall be responsible for the coordination, implementation and administration of the disaster management plans and programs.
The Governor of Puerto Rico shall appoint the person responsible for disaster administration who shall act as the Governor’s Authorized Representative (GAR) during all disasters, whether declared by the President or by the Governor, and be responsible for the proper management of any appropriated Commonwealth and federal funds. The Governor shall likewise appoint the person who shall act as State Coordinating Officer (SCO) in every emergency or disaster where federal assistance is requested for response, recovery or mitigation functions.
History —Aug. 2, 1999, No. 211, § 9; Dec. 28, 2000, No. 447, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9B - Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (§§ 172 — 173f) › Subchapter I - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency Act (§§ 172 — 172s) › § 172h - Appointment of interagency coordinators

The Director shall determine which agencies are to be included in the Commonwealth Emergency Management Plan and assign responsibilities according to their functions. Upon their inclusion in said plan, these agencies shall be responsible for the following:
(a) Support the Commonwealth effort within their organic functions with the resources and capabilities required by the Commonwealth Agency.
(b) Establish an Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Office, which shall develop and implement the Commonwealth Agency emergency plans and those internal plans required by its support function on behalf of the Commonwealth Emergency Management Plan in coordination with other agencies.
(c) Appoint a fulltime interagency coordinator, who shall be in charge of every emergency management phase. His main function shall be to act as liaison of the Commonwealth Agency within the Commonwealth Emergency Plan to coordinate all actions required under said Plan and by the Commonwealth Agency. The Coordinator shall be provided with all the necessary resources to perform his duties. He shall have the authorization of the head of the Commonwealth Agency to make decisions and to encumber funds and resources within the operational framework of the agencies. The Interagency Coordinator shall be responsible for the operation of the Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Office of his agency.
(d) Prepare and keep an updated recovery plan in case of an emergency or disaster that includes actions, measures and priorities to return the Island to its normal conditions as soon as possible. This plan shall be coordinated with the Commonwealth Agency and shall be integrated to the Commonwealth Emergency Management Plan. The Interagency Coordinator shall be responsible for the Plan and its coordination as herein required.
History —Aug. 2, 1999, No. 211, § 10; Dec. 28, 2000, No. 447, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9B - Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (§§ 172 — 173f) › Subchapter I - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency Act (§§ 172 — 172s) › § 172i - Interagency Natural and Technological Risk Mitigation Committee—Creation

The Interagency Natural and Technological Risk Mitigation Committee is hereby created, which shall be responsible for:
(a) Preparing and implementing the Commonwealth Mitigation Plan.
(b) Establishing the priorities for mitigation projects.
(c) Assessing the nature of the damages caused by the emergency or disaster and recommending mitigation actions to curtail future damages.
The agencies selected by the Director shall appoint mitigation affairs coordinators. These coordinators shall be responsible for:
(a) Participating as members of the Commonwealth Interagency Risk Mitigation Committee.
(b) Coordinating and preparing mitigation plans and activities in their respective agencies.
History —Aug. 2, 1999, No. 211, § 11, eff. 60 days after Aug. 2, 1999.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9B - Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (§§ 172 — 173f) › Subchapter I - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency Act (§§ 172 — 172s) › § 172j - Temporary housing

The Commonwealth Agency shall coordinate with the Department of Housing the administration and maintenance of any sort of temporary housing for emergency or disaster victims who have been moved from their homes to temporary shelters. The main responsibility for administering and operating said housing facilities shall fall on the Secretary of Housing.
History —Aug. 2, 1999, No. 211, § 12, eff. 60 days after Aug. 2, 1999.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9B - Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (§§ 172 — 173f) › Subchapter I - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency Act (§§ 172 — 172s) › § 172k - Search and rescue

The Commonwealth Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency shall coordinate the efforts of the Government of Puerto Rico with respect to search and rescue operations. It shall also coordinate its efforts with federal entities or with those of any other nature having search and rescue functions.
The Executive Director shall appoint a Search and Rescue Coordinator for Puerto Rico, who shall develop said programs, including the Search and Rescue Task Force. The Civil Defense Corps of Volunteers shall be part of this search and rescue program.
History —Aug. 2, 1999, No. 211, § 13; Dec. 28, 2000, No. 447, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9B - Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (§§ 172 — 173f) › Subchapter I - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency Act (§§ 172 — 172s) › § 172m - Governor of Puerto Rico—Special powers

In emergency or disaster situations, the Governor of Puerto Rico may decree, through a proclamation, the existence of a state of emergency or disaster, as the case may be, throughout the entire territory of Puerto Rico or part thereof. In addition to any other powers conferred by law, the Governor, while said state of emergency or disaster lasts, shall have the following powers:
(a) Request from the President of the United States any type of federal assistance granted by federal legislation in effect, and accept and use said assistance at his discretion, subject exclusively to the conditions established in the laws that grant the same.
(b) Order, amend and revoke those regulations, and issue, amend and cancel those orders the Governor may deem convenient to prevail during the state of emergency or disaster.
(c) Enforce those Commonwealth regulations, orders, plans or measures pertinent to emergency or disaster situations or change the same according to the Governor’s better judgment.
(d) Order the removal of rubble and debris remaining as a consequence of an emergency or disaster situation, subject to the conditions set forth hereinafter.
(e) Acquire through purchase or donation any real or personal property, or any rights thereon, that in the Governor’s judgment are deemed useful, convenient or necessary during a state of emergency or disaster.
(f) Acquire through eminent domain any real or personal property, or any rights thereon, that in the Governor’s judgment are deemed useful, convenient or necessary during a state of emergency or disaster, pursuant to the provisions of §§ 2901 et seq. of Title 32, and subject to the additional provisions set forth hereinafter.
History —Aug. 2, 1999, No. 211, § 15; Dec. 28, 2000, No. 445, § 2; Dec. 28, 2000, No. 447, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9B - Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (§§ 172 — 173f) › Subchapter I - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency Act (§§ 172 — 172s) › § 172n - Removal of rubble and debris

The Governor of Puerto Rico, after having decreed a state of emergency or disaster, may order the removal of rubble or debris remaining as a consequence of said situation. To such effects, the Governor may use the resources available to the Government of Puerto Rico to clean and remove the rubble, debris or wreckage that could affect the public health or safety and the public or private land or bodies of water. The cleaning or removal efforts may be entrusted to those natural or juridical persons that, in the judgment of the Governor, have the capability of undertaking the same.
The cleaning or removal of rubble and debris on private property shall not be conducted without the prior written approval of the owner of said property. The document to be signed to such effects shall state that the property owner holds the Governor or the Governor’s agent harmless from damages that may be caused to [the] owner’s property during the cleaning or removal process, and furthermore agrees to compensate the Government of Puerto Rico in the event a claim arises as a result of said cleaning or removal efforts.
After the consent of the owner of the private property has been obtained, the agents of the Governor shall be fully authorized to enter said property and carry out any task needed to clean or remove rubble and debris.
History —Aug. 2, 1999, No. 211, § 16, eff. 60 days after Aug. 2, 1999.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9B - Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (§§ 172 — 173f) › Subchapter I - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency Act (§§ 172 — 172s) › § 172o - Eminent domain during states of emergency or disaster

The Governor of Puerto Rico, upon the decree of a state of emergency or disaster, may acquire through the exercise of eminent domain, the real or personal property or any rights thereon, that in the Governor’s judgment are deemed useful, necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this subchapter.
Said personal or real property shall include land, buildings, means of transportation and communication, food, clothing, equipment, materials of any kind, medicines, and any other basic commodities.
For the purposes of §§ 2901 et seq. of Title 32, the real or personal property and the rights thereon that in the judgment of the Governor are useful, necessary or convenient during a state of emergency or disaster are hereby declared to be of public benefit. Thus, the express declaration of public benefit required in other cases shall not be necessary.
The exercise of eminent domain established pursuant to the provisions of this subchapter shall have utmost priority in the court’s calendar.
History —Aug. 2, 1999, No. 211, § 17, eff. 60 days after Aug. 2, 1999.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9B - Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (§§ 172 — 173f) › Subchapter I - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency Act (§§ 172 — 172s) › § 172p - Immunities

Because this subchapter provides that the emergency and disaster management measures, functions and activities are governmental in nature, the following immunities are hereby established for the natural or juridical persons that participate in emergency and disaster management efforts:
(a) The owner or the natural or juridical person with useful ownership of certain real property or part thereof, that without any compensation whatsoever cedes the use of said real property or part thereof to the authorities of the Commonwealth Agency or of any of the municipalities, through a written agreement to such effects, to be used as a shelter or to house persons during an emergency or disaster or during a drill conducted under the direction of the Commonwealth Agency, shall be held harmless from damages caused by the death or injuries suffered by persons placed or housed in said shelters during any of said instances, or for the loss or damages to the properties of said persons even when these damages are caused by the negligence of the owner or the person with useful ownership of the real property. The owner or the natural or juridical person with useful ownership of said real property shall also be held harmless when his alleged negligence results in the death or injury of any Commonwealth Agency employee or official while in the performance of his official duties at said property, and shall not be liable for damages when due to his negligence there is damage to or loss of the property of said employee or official, or loss of or damage to the property found in said shelter as part of the equipment furnished by the Commonwealth Agency.
(b) None of the following shall be liable for the death or injuries to persons or damage to property, except in cases of gross negligence, improper conduct or bad faith:
(1) The Government of Puerto Rico and its employees and the municipalities and their employees in the execution of their duties and activities.
(2) The emergency and disaster management agencies or entities and their employees in the execution of their duties and activities.
(3) Any volunteer who renders emergency management services.
History —Aug. 2, 1999, No. 211, § 18, eff. 60 days after Aug. 2, 1999.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART I - Military Protection and Civil Defense (§§ 1 — 180d) › Chapter 9B - Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (§§ 172 — 173f) › Subchapter I - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency Act (§§ 172 — 172s) › § 172q - Regulations and orders

The regulations drafted and the orders issued during a state of emergency or disaster shall have force of law for the duration of said state of emergency or disaster.
History —Aug. 2, 1999, No. 211, § 19, eff. 60 days after Aug. 2, 1999.