reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 42 - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office Act (§§ 811 — 851) › Subchapter II - Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office (§§ 812 — 828) › § 815 - Removal of Director’s Council members

The Governor may, on his/her own motion or by filing a complaint with the Director’s Council through the Advocate, and upon previous notice and hearing, remove the three (3) members of the Director’s Council who were appointed by the Governor, when there is just cause for such removal.
The remaining members of the Director’s Council may be removed by filing a complaint with the Advocate establishing just cause therefor. The Advocate shall refer the complaint to the consideration of the Adjudicatory Committee.
Any of the following grounds shall be considered just cause for removal of a Director’s Council member:
(a) Failing to comply with the public policy set forth in this chapter and the Bill of Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
(b) Engaging in actions or omissions that adversely affect the populations or sectors of persons with disabilities that are a priority for the work of the Advocacy Office.
(c) Failing to comply with accountability standards.
(d) Engaging in political-partisan activities while discharging his/her duties as part of the Director’s Council.
(e) Being found guilty of a misdemeanor or a felony.
(f) Failing to attend more than three (3) consecutive meetings unjustifiably.
(g) Failing to comply with any law or public policy relating to the rights of persons with disabilities.
(h) Having a mental or physical disability that prevents him/her from fully discharging the duties of the office.
(i) Being negligent while carrying out or discharging his/her duties.
History —Sept. 24, 2015, No. 158, § 2.04.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 42 - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office Act (§§ 811 — 851) › Subchapter II - Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office (§§ 812 — 828) › § 817 - Advocate for Persons with Disabilities

There is hereby created the position of the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities, who shall direct the Advocacy Office, supervise its operations, and approve the regulations that shall include the criteria and rules that shall govern the functions thereof. The Director’s Council shall designate an Advocate by a simple majority vote of its members. The person designated as such must be a person of recognized professional capability and independent judgment, with at least five (5) years of work experience and commitment to the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities and the fight against the eradication of every manifestation of oppression and marginalization, and who is aware of the need to continuously analyze the situation of persons with disabilities in Puerto Rico. The Director’s Council shall request and receive recommendations from groups concerned with the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities regarding potential candidates to hold the office of the Advocate.
The Advocate shall hold office for six (6) years until his/her successor is appointed and takes office. In the event of a vacancy, the Director’s Council shall designate a substitute, who shall hold such office for the remainder of the unexpired term. The Advocate may be nominated for an additional six (6)-year term. The Advocate shall earn a salary that shall not exceed seventy thousand dollars ($70,000).
History —Sept. 24, 2015, No. 158, § 2.06.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 42 - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office Act (§§ 811 — 851) › Subchapter II - Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office (§§ 812 — 828) › § 818 - Removal of the Advocate

The Advocate may be removed on the following grounds:
(a) For being found guilty of a misdemeanor or a felony.
(b) For failing to comply with the public policy set forth in this chapter and the Bill of Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
(c) For failing to comply with the duties and tasks delegated to him/her by the Director’s Council to ensure compliance with this chapter and the public policy set forth herein.
(d) For engaging in actions or omissions that adversely affect the populations or sectors of persons with disabilities that are a priority for the work of the Advocacy Office.
(e) For failing to comply with accountability standards.
(f) For engaging in political-partisan activities while discharging his/her duties as Advocate.
(g) For being absent for more than fifteen (15) consecutive working days unjustifiably.
(h) For failing to comply with any law or public policy relating to the rights of persons with disabilities.
(i) For having a mental or physical disability that prevents him/her from fully discharging the duties of the office.
(j) For being negligent while carrying out or discharging his/her duties.
(k) For failing to meet the reporting requirements established in this chapter.
The Director’s Council may, on its own motion or by filing a complaint, and upon previous notice and hearing, remove the Advocate from office on any of the aforementioned grounds.
History —Sept. 24, 2015, No. 158, § 2.07.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 42 - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office Act (§§ 811 — 851) › Subchapter II - Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office (§§ 812 — 828) › § 820 - Investigations

Any complaint filed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall be processed as provided in the regulations to be adopted for such purposes. The Advocate shall notify the complainant about his/her decision to investigate the facts stated in the complaint and, on the same date on which the corresponding notice is issued, the Advocate shall also notify the agency, person, or private entity, as the case may be, including a statement of the facts alleged on the complaint and a citation of the law that empowers him/her to conduct such investigation. Furthermore, the Advocate shall notify the complainant about his/her decision not to investigate the complaint in question, as appropriate, stating the grounds therefor and apprising him/her of his/her right to request reconsideration and review of such determination.
However, the Advocate shall not investigate complaints when:
(a) The complaint refers to a matter outside his/her scope of jurisdiction.
(b) The complaint lacks merit.
(c) The complainant voluntarily dismisses the complaint.
(d) The complainant lacks standing to file a complaint;
(e) The complaint is under investigation by another agency and, in the judgment of the Advocate, it would result in a duplication of efforts.
In those cases in which the complaint filed does not involve any dispute that can be adjudicated or refers to an issue outside the scope of jurisdiction of the Advocacy Office, the Advocate shall advise the complainants and, if necessary, refer them to the pertinent agency.
History —Sept. 24, 2015, No. 158, § 2.09.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 42 - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office Act (§§ 811 — 851) › Subchapter II - Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office (§§ 812 — 828) › § 821 - Hearing Officers

In the exercise of his/her adjudicative powers under this chapter, the Advocate shall designate hearing officers to preside over administrative hearings held in accordance with the regulations adopted by the Advocate for such purposes.
History —Sept. 24, 2015, No. 158, § 2.10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 42 - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office Act (§§ 811 — 851) › Subchapter II - Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office (§§ 812 — 828) › § 822 - Bylaws

The Advocate is hereby empowered to adopt the bylaws of the Advocacy Office, as well as the regulations that shall govern the operations of the activities and services established in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. To receive information and data about the studies and general research relating to persons with disabilities conducted by the Advocacy Office, the aforementioned regulations shall provide all that is necessary to meet the following procedural requirements:
(a) The holding of public hearings; the advocate’s duty to hear testimonies or receive any other evidence for the Advocacy Office may be delegated to one or more officials or employees.
(b) Notices of public hearing shall be published at least ten (10) days in advance in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or regional newspapers circulating in the specific region or area comprised in the study or research. In addition, hearings may be notified through other medium of communication if it is deemed necessary and reasonable for a more efficient dissemination. Such notices shall include detailed descriptions of the purposes and the agenda of the hearings.
(c) All oral statements shall be heard in public sessions. However, if the Advocate believes that the evidence or testimony at a hearing may tend to defame, degrade or incriminate any person or violate such persons” privacy, to protect his/her identity, or if circumstances so warrant, the Advocate may make an exception and receive such testimony in private session.
(d) Every witness may, if he/she deems it convenient, be advised by legal counsel. Such witness shall also have the right to not be photographed without his/her consent, to be examined by his/her attorney within the rules of the hearing and their application by the Advocacy Office, submit brief written statements under oath to be included in the record of the hearing, and to request, in accordance with the rules to be established by the Advocacy Office and upon payment of the corresponding fees, a copy of the transcript of his/her oral testimony.
(e) If the Advocate determines that any evidence tends to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person, the Advocate will provide him/her the opportunity to appear in person or in writing.
(f) The Advocate shall determine all other rules of procedure for public hearings, including those relating to the admissibility of evidence and the exclusion of persons who violate the rules that govern hearings.
History —Sept. 24, 2015, No. 158, § 2.11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 42 - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office Act (§§ 811 — 851) › Subchapter II - Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office (§§ 812 — 828) › § 823 - Services and facilities

The Advocate may request private persons or institutions, as well as government agencies, any services and facilities available to achieve the purposes of this chapter.
For purposes of this chapter, the Advocate may request the transfer of any official or employee of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or the agencies thereof, with the authorization of the appointing authority of the government entity where the official or employee renders services. In such case, the appointing authority shall not be required to keep such official or employee’s office or job vacant.
To achieve the purposes of this chapter, the Advocate is further authorized, without being subject to the provisions of § 551 of Title 3, to hire the any public official or employee and pay such official or employee for the additional services rendered to the Advocacy Office outside his/her regular working hours.
The Advocate may request any agency to conduct a study or research, or any stage or part thereof, or to do any kind of work as necessary to discharge its duties, to which priority shall be given. If the agency deems it necessary, it may request the Advocacy Office, and obtain, a fund transfer in a reasonable amount.
History —Sept. 24, 2015, No. 158, § 2.12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 42 - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office Act (§§ 811 — 851) › Subchapter II - Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office (§§ 812 — 828) › § 824 - Special Fund for the Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office

The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized to create a Special Fund for the Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office where the monies received from legislative appropriations, fund transfers from other Government agencies or entities and donations of any kind by means of gifts or allocations shall be deposited. The Fund may receive donations from other agencies, public corporations, political subdivisions, the Federal Government, municipalities, and nonprofit entities. Furthermore, the Fund may be used to defray expenses relating to the operations and development of the Advocacy Office.
The Advocacy Office is hereby authorized to receive and administer funds from legislative appropriations, and transfers, allocations, contributions, and donations of any kind from the agencies, municipal governments and the Government of the United States of America, as well as from persons, nongovernmental organizations, and other private entities for drawing up and implementing projects and programs to be carried out by the Advocacy Office, by agencies, entities, and nongovernmental organizations, or the civil society. The funds thus received shall be held, controlled, and administered in accordance with the laws that regulate the use of public funds, the legal standards, rules or agreements by virtue of which the Advocacy Office receives such funds, and in accordance with the regulations adopted for such purposes. The Advocacy Office may also receive personal property from public agencies, on loan, as usufruct, or gift, and possess, administer, and use them to perform its functions under this chapter.
History —Sept. 24, 2015, No. 158, § 2.13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 42 - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office Act (§§ 811 — 851) › Subchapter II - Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office (§§ 812 — 828) › § 825 - Reports

The Advocate shall submit an annual written report, not later than January 31 st of each year, as well as any special reports to the Governor and the Legislative Assembly, on the activities, operations, statistical data, complaints filed and processed, achievements, and fiscal situation of the Advocacy Office, along with any recommendations he/she deems necessary for the ongoing and efficient protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. After submitting the first annual report, the Advocate shall include, at the end of the annual reports, a summary of recommendations previously made and a description of the actions taken in relation to said recommendations. The Advocacy Office shall publish such reports on its webpage after sending them to the Governor and the Legislative Assembly. The Advocacy Office may also publish studies and papers submitted by its consultants and advisors.
History —Sept. 24, 2015, No. 158, § 2.14.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 42 - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office Act (§§ 811 — 851) › Subchapter II - Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office (§§ 812 — 828) › § 826 - Accountability and access to information

The Advocate shall have the duty to publish on the Advocacy Office’s webpage all the reports, studies, regulations, meeting minutes, circular letters, and executed contracts. In addition, all the resolutions of the Director’s Council shall be published not later than one (1) week after the approval thereof. Third party’s copyrights and trade secrets regarding published documents shall be protected.
The minutes of the meetings of the Director’s Council and the committees thereof shall be approved by the Director’s Council prior to their publication.
History —Sept. 24, 2015, No. 158, § 2.15.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 42 - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office Act (§§ 811 — 851) › Subchapter II - Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office (§§ 812 — 828) › § 827 - Penalties

Any person who voluntarily disobeys, prevents, or hinders the discharge of the duties of the Advocacy Office, or any of its authorized agents, as provided in this chapter, or obstructs the holding of a hearing conducted pursuant to this chapter, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by a fine that shall not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or by imprisonment for a maximum of six (6) months or both penalties, at the discretion of the court.
No evidence or testimony provided during an executive hearing shall be made public without the express consent of the Advocate or the person authorized by him/her. Any person who violates this provision shall be punished by a fine that shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment for a term that shall not exceed six (6) months or both penalties, at the discretion of the court.
History —Sept. 24, 2015, No. 158, § 2.16.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 42 - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office Act (§§ 811 — 851) › Subchapter IV - Transitory Measures (§§ 841 — 848) › § 841 - Transfer of employees

Every career and regular employee of the Office of the Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall become employees of the Advocacy Office within ninety (90) calendar days after the last approval corresponding to the transfer of programs and activities. Career or regular employees thus transferred shall earn salaries and have benefits comparable to those they had while serving in the Office of the Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, but never reduced. The Advocate for Persons with Disabilities and the Director’s Council shall take any action needed to carry out said transfer and transition.
The provisions of this chapter shall not be used as grounds for dismissal of any employee holding a regular or career position or construed as a requirement or basis for reducing or raising the salary and fringe benefits received by the employees of the agency from which they were transferred. Until the new Classification Plan of the Advocacy Office is approved, the Classification Plan of the Office of the Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities shall be used.
As of the effective date of this act, the Advocacy Office shall recognize the labor unions representing union employees transferred to the Advocacy Office, if any. The Advocacy Office shall honor any collective bargaining agreement in effect at the time of the transition until the same expires, in accordance with the legal provisions applicable thereto. In these cases, personnel transferred between components or other government entities that are part of an appropriate collective bargaining unit shall keep said right and, as an exception, may continue to be an appropriate unit without being subject to the provisions of any preceding law.
No employee or former employee or his/her beneficiaries participating in the Retirement System shall lose any retirement benefits accrued as of the date of the creation of the Advocacy Office.
History —Sept. 24, 2015, No. 158, § 4.01.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 42 - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office Act (§§ 811 — 851) › Subchapter IV - Transitory Measures (§§ 841 — 848) › § 842 - Transfer of property

Any documents, records, materials, equipment, budget, and real or personal property belonging to the Office of the Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities shall be transferred to the Advocacy Office within a term that shall not exceed sixty (60) calendar days after the date of approval of this act.
The term provided above shall also apply to any actions to be taken, as are necessary, appropriate, and convenient by the Advocacy Office to achieve the purposes of this chapter including, but not limited to, the creation of the internal, programmatic, and budgetary structure, as well as the accounting structure required for accounting the funds thereof and the relocation of offices to a single building.
The Advocacy Office shall assume and be liable for any debt, obligation, or financial responsibility of the aforementioned government entities and, in turn, shall assume and be the holder of any asset and rights thereon.
History —Sept. 24, 2015, No. 158, § 4.02.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 42 - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office Act (§§ 811 — 851) › Subchapter IV - Transitory Measures (§§ 841 — 848) › § 843 - Budget

Any balance from preceding fiscal years of special appropriations made to the Office of the Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities that are available as of the effective date of this act shall be accounted in favor of the Advocacy Office maintaining the use and balance thereof at the time of the transition. In addition, any funds generated by the Office of the Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities shall be transferred to the Special Fund for the Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office.
Likewise, as for the budget approved for the Office of the Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities for Fiscal Year 2014-2015, whether from the operating budget allocated under the Joint Resolution on the General Budget or from appropriations allocated under the Joint Resolution on Federal Appropriations, the same shall be transferred to the Advocacy Office.
History —Sept. 24, 2015, No. 158, § 4.03.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 42 - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office Act (§§ 811 — 851) › Subchapter IV - Transitory Measures (§§ 841 — 848) › § 845 - Integration report

The Advocate is hereby directed to file an Integration Report with the Governor, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Legislative Assembly stating in detail the results of the Advocacy Office, the reallocation of resources, and any other information requested by the Office of Management and Budget. Said report shall be filed within thirty (30) days after the close of Fiscal Year 2015-2016.
History —Sept. 24, 2015, No. 158, § 4.05.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 42 - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office Act (§§ 811 — 851) › Subchapter IV - Transitory Measures (§§ 841 — 848) › § 846 - Amending clause

Any reference made to the Office of the Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities or the Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities in any other law, regulation, or official document of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall be deemed to be amended so as to refer to the Persons with Disabilities Protection and Advocacy Office created in this chapter or the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities, as the case may be.
History —Sept. 24, 2015, No. 158, § 4.06.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 42 - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office Act (§§ 811 — 851) › Subchapter IV - Transitory Measures (§§ 841 — 848) › § 847 - Disclosure

This chapter and the impact thereof constitute public interest information. Therefore, the Advocacy Office is hereby authorized to provide education and information about this chapter and its implications, since it is of vital importance that the different populations are informed of the changes and duties of the entities concerned, the new services, as well as of the rights and obligations of the people and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —Sept. 24, 2015, No. 158, § 4.07.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 42 - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office Act (§§ 811 — 851) › Subchapter IV - Transitory Measures (§§ 841 — 848) › § 848 - Exclusion

This chapter is hereby excluded from the provisions of §§ 8821 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Act for the Reorganization and Modernization of the Executive Branch of 2009”.
History —Sept. 24, 2015, No. 158, § 4.09.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 42 - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Persons with Disabilities Advocacy Office Act (§§ 811 — 851) › Subchapter V - Effectiveness (§ 851) › § 851 - Incompatibility

If the provisions of this chapter are incompatible with those of any other act or regulations, the provisions of this chapter shall prevail.
History —Sept. 24, 2015, No. 158, § 5.01.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5001 - Bible Day

(a) The first day of September of each year is declared to be “Bible Day”.
(b) The Governor of Puerto Rico, through a proclamation to such effect which shall be issued ten (10) days prior to the first of September of each year, shall urge the people of Puerto Rico to organize and sponsor activities proper to such celebration.
History —Aug. 25, 1994, No. 102, §§ 1, 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5002 - Tourism educational campaign

The Tourist Company is hereby charged with initiating an educational campaign to further the observance of the fair, equitable and courteous treatment of tourists and foreign visitors in Puerto Rico. All Heads of Departments and Bureaus of the Government of Puerto Rico shall cooperate in all the activities initiated or recommended by the Director of the Tourist Company of Puerto Rico, especially with regard to instructing and persuading public employees, owners and employees of hotels and public carriers, chauffeurs and drivers of public vehicles, owners and employees of business establishments, peddlers, porters, traffic officers and the general public, to zealously ensure that all tourists and foreigners visiting our country for the purposes of rest and recreation be treated fairly, equitably, respectfully, amiably and courteously and with spontaneous hospitality; Provided, That the Tourist Company, in coordination with the Department of Education shall establish a program to motivate students to conduct themselves in keeping with the purposes of §§ 5002—5002b of this title.
History —May 11, 1938, No. 174, p. 356, § 1; Mar. 18, 1998, No. 56, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5002a - Tourism educational campaign—Educational Week Pro Tourism

The Governor of Puerto Rico shall, by special proclamation, designate the first week after the last Sunday in January of each year as “Educational Week Pro Tourism in Puerto Rico.”
History —May 11, 1938, No. 174, p. 356, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5002b - Tourism educational campaign—Public activities; advertising; etc

The Tourist Company, in coordination with the Department of Education, shall develop all those public activities that can and should be observed during the “Puerto Rico Pro Tourism Educational Week”, and shall also adopt all those rules, orders and promotional material leading to better knowledge and observance of the purposes of §§ 5002—5002b of this title.
History —May 11, 1938, No. 174, p. 356, § 3; Mar. 18, 1998, No. 56, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5003 - Day of Homage to the Elderly

(a) April 30 of each year is hereby declared to be the “Day of Homage to the Elderly”.
(b) Not less than ten (10) days prior to April 30 of each year, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall issue an annual proclamation calling the people of Puerto Rico to join in the celebration provided in this section. A copy of the annual proclamation shall be distributed among the mass communications media of the Island for its divulgation and/or publication.
The Office for the Affairs of the Elderly in collaboration with the Department of Education, the Department of Health, the Gerontology Program of the Public Health Graduate School of the Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico and the Department of the Family, as well as all other public bodies and entities and the municipalities of Puerto Rico, shall adopt the measures needed to achieve the objectives of this section, by organizing and conducting activities to observe the Day of Homage to the Elderly.
History —Apr. 27, 1933, No. 24, p. 240, §§ 1, 2; April 24, 1962, No. 3, p. 2, § 2; Sept. 15, 2004, No. 310, §§ 1—3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5004 - Land Day

The Sunday of the Land Week of each year shall be known as “Land Day” which shall be devoted to extolling the love for the land as an inexhaustible source of production and life.
History —May 5, 1925, No. 7, p. 120, § 1; Apr. 22, 1988, No. 19, p. 83, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5004a - Land Day—Celebration; prizes to small landowners

It shall be the duty of the Secretary of Agriculture, through his agricultural agents, to make the necessary provision for the celebration of this day, by holding in all towns of the Commonwealth, lectures, fairs, demonstrations and expositions, and any other act deemed advisable by him, in order to make known to agriculturalists and to the general public the progress made in the science of agriculture in this Commonwealth and the production of each municipality; Provided, That special attention shall be given to propaganda, through persuasive means, to the end that small landowners shall keep their lands and cultivate them intensively, awarding prizes to such as shall have possessed them, as owners, for the greatest number of years.
History —May 5, 1925, No. 7, p. 120, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5004b - Land Day—Cooperation of schools

The Secretary of Education shall cooperate with the Secretary of Agriculture for the greatest success of this festival, and for such purpose shall direct that all public schools of the Commonwealth and teachers shall render their aid to give greater splendor to such acts as may be celebrated.
History —May 5, 1925, No. 7, p. 120, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5004c - Land Day—Proclamation

The Governor of Puerto Rico, at least ten (10) days prior thereto, shall publish in the newspapers having the largest circulation in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a proclamation reminding the people of the celebration of the day referred to in § 5004 of this title, and making such recommendations as he may deem advisable.
History —May 5, 1925, No. 7, p. 120, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5005 - Aibonito Flower Festival Day

(a) The first Sunday of the month of July of each year, except those years in which the 4th of July is a Sunday, in which case it shall be the first Monday of said month, is hereby declared as the “Aibonito Flower Festival Day”.
(b) The Governor of Puerto Rico, through a proclamation to such effect, shall exhort the People of Puerto Rico to celebrate this day.
(c) The Municipal Government of Aibonito, civil and/or cultural entities, and any other institution interested in this event, shall join in the diffusion of information on the significance of this event.
History —June 27, 1996, No. 59, §§ 1—3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5007 - Mothers’ Day

The second Sunday of the month of May of each year shall be known as Mothers’ Day, to be devoted to the exaltation of motherly affection and its unbounded self-denial, thus tending to develop in the hearts of children that holy respect and undying love which they should feel for the woman who gave them life.
History —Mar. 11, 1915, No. 25, p. 55, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5007a - Mother’s Day—Governor’s proclamation

At least seven days in advance the Governor of Puerto Rico shall publish in the newspapers of greatest circulation in the Commonwealth, a proclamation recalling the celebration of the day to which § 5007 of this title refers and shall indicate the emblematic flower to be worn by the inhabitants of Puerto Rico as an external manifestation of joy and tender homage to the sublime ideal commemorated.
History —Mar. 11, 1915, No. 25, p. 55, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5007b - Mother’s Day—Emblematic flower

The emblematic flower mentioned in § 5007a of this title shall be the honeysuckle, until otherwise provided by the Legislative Assembly.
History —Mar. 11, 1915, No. 25, p. 55, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5008 - Journalist Day

The thirty-first day of July of each year is hereby declared as National Journalist Day, in commemoration of César Andreu-Iglesias’ birthday.
History —Aug. 20, 1992, No. 48, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5008a - Journalist Day—Press week

Press Week shall be celebrated during the week that includes the 31st of July. The week shall be devoted to highlighting the role of the Press, inform of its achievements, and the most outstanding local and international journalistic events.
History —Aug. 20, 1992, No. 48, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5008b - Journalist Day—Proclamation by Governor

The Governor shall issue a commemorative proclamation of the Press Week and Journalist Day.
History —Aug. 20, 1992, No. 48, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5009 - General Pulaski Memorial Day

The Governor of Puerto Rico is authorized and directed to issue a proclamation calling upon officials of the Government to display the flag of the United States on all government buildings on October 11 of each year, and inviting the people of Puerto Rico, to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies in commemoration of the death of General Casimir Pulaski.
History —Mar. 28, 1935, J.R. No. 6, p. 346, § 1, eff. 90 days after Mar. 28, 1935.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5010 - Television Non-violence Day

(a) The fourth Thursday of the month of August of each year is hereby declared as “Television Non-violence Day”.
(b) The Governor of Puerto Rico, through a proclamation to such effects, which shall be issued at least ten (10) days prior to the fourth Thursday of the month of August of each year, shall exhort the Puerto Rican people to organize and sponsor activities that are pertinent to this celebration.
History —July 6, 1996, No. 67, §§ 1, 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5012 - Day of the Blind

December 13 of each year, fixed in the Christian calendar as Day of Saint Lucia, patron saint of the blind, is hereby designated to be known and held in Puerto Rico as Day of the Blind so that public acts may be held which aggrandize and dignify the education, culture and welfare of the sightless in Puerto Rico.
History —May 6, 1938, No. 82, p. 195, § 1, eff. 90 days after May 6, 1938.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5012a - Day of the Blind—Governor’s proclamation

The Governor of Puerto Rico shall annually exhort the people of Puerto Rico, at least ten (10) days in advance of December 13 of each year, through a proclamation, to hold on said Day of the Blind the public acts referred to in § 5012 of this title.
History —May 6, 1938, No. 82, p. 195, § 2, eff. 90 days after May 6, 1938.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5013 - Eye Care Month

(a) The month of January of each year is declared to be “Eye Care Month” in Puerto Rico.
(b) The Governor of Puerto Rico, through a proclamation to that effect, shall urge the People of Puerto Rico to observe this date.
(c) The College of Optometrists of Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Ophthalmologic Association and the Puerto Rico Eye Care Association, as well as any other institution interested in observing this celebration shall be in charge of disseminating information on the significance of this event.
History —Apr. 9, 1997, No. 9, §§ 1—3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5014 - Puerto Rican Industries Week

It is hereby provided that the Government of Puerto Rico, by means of the corresponding proclamation, shall designate one week every year, that shall be known as: “Puerto Rican Industries Week”; Provided, That the Director of Industrial Development and its Puerto Rican Industries Division shall carry out a propaganda campaign in favor of the products of the Puerto Rican Industries; Provided, That the Secretary of Economic Development and Commerce shall determine the best means of propaganda for such purposes.
History —May 4, 1938, No. 59, p. 165, § 1; May 13, 1939, No. 161, p. 808, § 2; Sept. 2, 1999, No. 299, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5014a - Puerto Rican Industries Week—Educational cooperation

It is hereby directed that the Secretary of Education give his best cooperation to the Director of Industrial Development and its Puerto Rican Industries Division during the Puerto Rican Industries Week, so that during that period, [15-minute] talks may be given in each schoolroom to make the students realize the advantages and need of consuming and protecting Puerto Rican products.
History —May 4, 1938, No. 59, p. 165, § 2; Sept. 2, 1999, No. 299, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5014b - Puerto Rican Industries Week—Exhibition of products

The Government of Puerto Rico shall furnish, without cost, quarters suitable for the exhibition of our products during this Puerto Rican Industries Week; Provided, That the decorations and other exhibition expenses shall be [charged to the] account of each industrial firm which shows one or more exhibits.
History —May 4, 1938, No. 59, p. 165, § 3; Sept. 2, 1999, No. 299, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5015 - Puerto Rican Land Week

The first week of May of each year is hereby declared to be “The Puerto Rican Land Week”.
History —May 25, 1955, No. 50, p. 186, § 1; June 24, 1971, No. 90, p. 310; Apr. 22, 1988, No. 19, p. 83, § 2; Apr. 16, 1992, No. 7, § 1; Jan. 6, 1999, No. 4, § 1; July 4, 2001, No. 52, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5015a - Puerto Rican Land Week—Celebration

During the said week agricultural and cattle expositions and exhibits of ornamental and medicinal plants shall be held in various places throughout Puerto Rico, and, under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture, with the cooperation of the Soil Conservation Committee and all the government agencies of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, there shall be held in educational institutions and other suitable places, public ceremonies and contests designed to rouse public interest in the value of our land and the other natural resources of our Island and stimulate and extoll the fellow feeling and devotion of Puerto Ricans toward their conservation and enrichment.
History —May 25, 1955, No. 50, p. 186, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5015b - Puerto Rican Land Week—Proclamation

Prior to the said week the Governor shall issue a proclamation calling upon the Puerto Rican people to cooperate in its celebration.
History —May 25, 1955, No. 50, p. 186, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5016 - Ernesto Ramos Antonini Day

April 24 of each year shall be commemorated as “Ernesto Ramos-Antonini Day” throughout the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
The Department of Education shall adopt measures leading to ensure compliance of the purpose of this Act through the organization of activities in tribute to the memory of this eminent public figure, attorney, lecturer and artist.
History —June 1, 1965, No. 12, p. 22; Dec. 18, 1997, No. 166, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5017a - Ramón Emeterio Betances Commemorative Day

(a) The 8th day of April of each year shall be declared as the “Ramón Emeterio Betances Commemorative Day”.
(b) The Governor of Puerto Rico shall, by proclamation, exhort the People of Puerto Rico to render tribute to the memory of Ramón Emeterio Betances.
(c) The Department of Education and the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture shall adopt the necessary measures to achieve the purposes of this section, through the organization and celebration of activities to honor the memory of this eminent Puerto Rican.
History —June 24, 1977, No. 114, p. 287, §§ 1—3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5018 - Police Day

(a) The 21st day of February of each year is hereby declared as Puerto Rico’s Police Day.
(b) On said day there shall be honored publicly all active, retired or deceased members of the Police of Puerto Rico by using every means of communications available.
(c) The Police Superintendent shall take the pertinent actions so that in all the teaching centers our youth be oriented towards the work which has been done and is being done by the Police of Puerto Rico; and shall invite all institutions that he may deem convenient, to join in the celebration of this day.
History —June 21, 1968, J.R. No. 90, p. 735, §§ 1—3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5019 - Grito de Lares Day

The day of September 23 of each year shall be celebrated through the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as the “ Grito de Lares Day”.
The Governor of Puerto Rico shall, by proclamation, annually exhort the Puerto Rican people to pay tribute on that date to the memory of those brave Puerto Ricans who gave up their lives and who participated in that glorious deed.
History —June 26, 1969, No. 86, p. 242.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5020 - Román Baldorioty de Castro Day

That the 28th of February of each year be declared and that it be commemorated as the “Román Baldorioty de Castro Day”.
History —May 30, 1970, No. 68, p. 179, § 1, eff. Feb. 28, 1971.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5022 - Ramón Power y Giralt Day

(a) The “Ramón Power y Giralt Day” shall be commemorated throughout the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico on October 27 of each year.
(b) The Governor of Puerto Rico, through proclamation, shall exhort the entire Puerto Rican people to render on that date a homage of remembrance to the memory of the illustrious Puerto Rican, Don Ramón Power y Giralt.
History —Mar. 3, 1971, No. 5, p. 13, §§ 1, 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5023 - Lola Rodríguez de Tió’s Birthday

(a) That the 14th of September of each year be commemorated as “Lola Rodríguez de Tió’s Birthday”.
(b) The Department of Education and the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture shall adopt the necessary measures to comply with the purposes of this section, by organizing and holding acts to render tribute to the memory of this outstanding Puerto Rican lady.
History —June 21, 1971, No. 51, p. 161, §§ 1, 2; Jan. 6, 1998, No. 10, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE ONE - The Commonwealth (§§ 1 — 5289) › Chapter 51 - Commemorative Days, Weeks and Months; Special Campaigns (§§ 5001 — 5289) › § 5024 - Accountant Week

The third week of the month of May of each year shall be commemorated as the “Accountant Week” throughout the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
The Governor shall, by proclamation, annually exhort the Puerto Rican people to pay homage of admiration to all the accountants of Puerto Rico for their valuable contribution to the progress of the Island.
History —June 24, 1971, No. 113, p. 356, § 1.