reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 45 - Social Security for Chauffeurs and Other Employees (§§ 681 — 695) › § 687 - Life insurance benefits; beneficiaries

Upon the death of any insured person who has met the requirements provided below by this chapter, the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources shall grant the persons who depended totally or partially for their support on the earnings of the insured person at the time of his/her death, one single payment as provided in § 688 of this title; Provided, That the employer of the deceased shall not be included among said persons. Said payment shall be distributed among these persons, subject to the condition, needs and dependency of each one, as it is decided by the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources pursuant to the facts. Provided, That for the purposes of the payment of this insurance, the woman or man who at the time of the death of the insured person, and during the last three (3) years prior to the death has lived with the insured person, shall be deemed to be entitled to a share. Provided, further, That when the persons who depended on the insured person at the time of his/her death are minors or mentally disabled, the benefits corresponding to these beneficiaries shall be delivered to the person who is, or remains in charge of said minors or disabled persons, if after the corresponding investigation is made, it is advisable to make such payments to that person, thus relieving the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources, his/her agents or employees from any future responsibility upon making the payment in the manner set forth. In any case in which the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources may determine through an investigation that she/he is prevented from paying the amount of the life insurance because there are no persons who depended for their support on the earnings of the insured person at the time of his/her death, he/she shall proceed to pay up to a maximum of six hundred dollars ($600) to the natural or juridical person who has incurred the expense of the funeral services of the insured person and who presents the corresponding vouchers.
History —May 15, 1950, No. 428, p. 1038, § 6; Sept. 15, 1950, No. 32, p. 250, § 1; May 14, 1952, No. 454, p. 924, § 7; June 11, 1954, No. 59, p. 322; June 14, 1957, No. 59, p. 137; June 14, 1960, No. 85, p. 151, § 1; June 24, 1964, No. 72, p. 220; June 21, 1971, No. 48, p. 136; renumbered as § 7 on June 18, 1980, No. 149, p. 663, § 8; Dec 20, 1995, No. 262, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 45 - Social Security for Chauffeurs and Other Employees (§§ 681 — 695) › § 688a - Prescription of rights; waiver of compliance

The right to the benefits established in §§ 686, 686a and 688 of this title shall prescribe one year after the occurrence of the total permanent disability or the death of the insured, or the death of his spouse or of any of his children up to fifteen (15) years of age, if said benefit is not applied for in writing, and diligently pursued by the insured, his beneficiaries or his authorized representatives within said term, and for which he shall submit to the Director the proof or evidence required of him.
The Secretary of Labor and Human Resources may waive the strict compliance of said term provided that in each particular case of a delayed claim the following requirements are met:
(1) That the Secretary determines that there was a just cause for not complying with said term, and
(2) that the claim was filed within three (3) years after the alleged disability, or the death involved occurred.
History —May 15, 1950, No. 428, p. 1038, added as § 9 on June 18, 1980, No. 149, p. 663, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 45 - Social Security for Chauffeurs and Other Employees (§§ 681 — 695) › § 688b - Method of determining if dues required have been paid

In order to determine whether the insured has paid the dues corresponding to the number of weeks required in §§ 686, 686a and 688 of this title, during the period corresponding to the four (4) contributing quarters ending immediately before the date of the total permanent disability, or in which the bonus benefit is applied for, or at the death of the insured, his spouse or any of his children up to fifteen (15) years of age, the weeks pensioned by the Chauffeurs and Other Employees Social Security Fund during the contributing year preceding the date of the occurrence of said total permanent disability, the date of the application of the bonus, or the death of the insured, or that of his spouse, or any of his children up to fifteen (15) years of age, and the week preceding the eighth day indicated in subsection (b) of § 683 of this title, shall be considered paid; Provided, That in said determination any contributing quarter with days interrupted as a result of a strike, lockout, labor dispute, or that were compensated for accident or sickness by the State Insurance Fund, the municipal or Commonwealth Government or their dependencies, public corporations or authorities, and the dues corresponding to them shall not be considered. When the contributing quarters are not considered, under the stated conditions, then, sufficient contributing quarters immediately preceding should be considered to complete a total of four (4) contributing quarters, to be considered.
History —May 15, 1950, No. 428, p. 1038, added as § 10 on June 18, 1980, No. 149, p. 663, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 45 - Social Security for Chauffeurs and Other Employees (§§ 681 — 695) › § 691 - Damages for failure to pay assessment

The Secretary of Labor and Human Resources shall have the right to recover from any employer who fails to fulfill his obligation to pay or withhold the dues fixed in § 690 of this title or of any chauffeur operating his own motor vehicle, the unpaid sums plus an equal sum by way of liquidated damages, in addition to the costs, expenses and attorney’s fees of the proceeding.
The cases of persons operating their own motor vehicles in the public transportation service where judgment has been entered for noncompliance with the obligation to pay the dues required by law shall be notified to the Public Service Commission of Puerto Rico so that the latter may give due consideration to the matter when said persons, employers and enterprisers appear before it in relation with their certificates of necessity and convenience and the issuing of permits.
History —May 15, 1950, No. 428, p. 1038, § 10; June 14, 1957, No. 59, p. 137; June 14, 1960, No. 85, p. 151, § 1; June 21, 1968, No. 111, p. 227; June 21, 1971, No. 48, p. 136; Nov. 23, 1975, No. 8, p. 934, § 9; renumbered as § 13 on June 18, 1980, No. 149, p. 663, § 14.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 45 - Social Security for Chauffeurs and Other Employees (§§ 681 — 695) › § 692 - Chauffeurs and Other Employees Social Security Fund

A special fund is hereby created in the Department of the Treasury of Puerto Rico which shall be known as the Chauffeurs and Other Employees Social Security Fund, into which shall be covered all the assessments imposed by this chapter. There shall also be covered into this fund the amounts derived from liquidated damages, costs, attorney’s fees expenses collected through the civil action provided in the preceding section as well as any other income derived from fines, surcharges and interests to be collected or received in accordance with this chapter. There shall also be covered into this fund the interest earned in banks where deposited.
All benefits granted to the insured persons in accordance with the terms of this chapter shall be paid out of this special fund and all the administration expenses of the plan herein established shall also be paid out of this special fund.
After setting aside those amounts allocated for administrative expenses, the Secretary of the Treasury may invest from the Chauffeurs and Other Employees Social Security Fund that amount which, in the judgment of the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources, is not needed for the payment of benefits, covering into said fund the product of the interest earned by said investments. Said amounts may be invested in the same manner and for the same obligations as other monies of the Commonwealth are invested.
History —May 15, 1950, No. 428, p. 1038, § 11; Sept. 15, 1950, No. 32, p. 250, § 1; June 11, 1954, No. 59, p. 322; June 14, 1957, No. 59, p. 137; May 28, 1958, No. 22, p. 26; June 14, 1960, No. 85, p. 151, § 1; June 21, 1971, No. 48, p. 136; renumbered as § 14 on June 18, 1980, No. 149, p. 663, § 14.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 45 - Social Security for Chauffeurs and Other Employees (§§ 681 — 695) › § 693 - Sick leave with pay

The insured entitled to receive the benefits provided for in this chapter shall enjoy sick leave with full pay that may be heretofore or hereafter provided by any collective bargaining agreement or by the Mandatory Decrees of the Minimum Wage Board of Puerto Rico, during the waiting period determined by subsection (b) of § 683 of this title.
History —May 15, 1950, No. 428, p. 1038, § 12; Sept. 15, 1950, No. 32, p. 250, § 1; June 11, 1954, No. 59, p. 322; June 21, 1971, No. 48, p. 136; Nov. 23, 1975, No. 8, p. 934, § 10; renumbered as § 15 on June 18, 1980, No. 149, p. 663, § 14.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 45 - Social Security for Chauffeurs and Other Employees (§§ 681 — 695) › § 693a - Reservation of employment and reinstatement; conditions

In the case of disability for work according to the provisions of this chapter, the employer shall be under the obligation to reserve the job filled by the worker at the time the disability begins and to reinstate him therein, subject to the following conditions:
(1) That the worker requires the employer to reinstate him in his job within a term of thirty (30) working days, counting from the date he was discharged from treatment, provided that said requirement is not made after one (1) year has elapsed from the date of the beginning of the disability.
(2) that the worker is mentally and physically able to perform such job at the time he requests his employer for reinstatement, and
(3) that said job exists at the time the worker requests his reinstatement. It shall be understood that the job exists when it is vacant or held by another worker. It shall be presumed that the job is vacant when the same is filled by another worker within thirty (30) days following the date on which the request for reinstatement was made.
If the employer fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection, he shall be under the obligation to pay the worker or his beneficiaries the wages that said worker would have received if he had been reinstated, and he shall also be liable for the damages caused. The worker or his beneficiaries may file and process the corresponding claim for reinstatement, or both in court through a regular action or through the wage claims procedure established in §§ 3118—3132 of Title 32.
History —May 15, 1950, No. 428, p. 1038, added as § 16 on Apr. 15, 1988, No. 16, p. 74, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 45 - Social Security for Chauffeurs and Other Employees (§§ 681 — 695) › § 694 - Penalties; application of plan

Any violation of the provisions of this chapter or of the rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources or the Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico hereunder shall be a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) or by jail for a maximum term of six (6) months, or both penalties, in the discretion of the court.
The fines and costs imposed and collected shall be covered into the Chauffeurs and Other Employees Social Security Fund.
History —May 15, 1950, No. 428, p. 1038, § 13; Sept. 15, 1950, No. 32, p. 250, § 1; June 11, 1954, No. 59, p. 322; June 14, 1957, No. 59, p. 137; June 14, 1960, No. 85, p. 151, § 1; June 21, 1971, No. 48, p. 136; Nov. 23, 1975, No. 8, p. 934, § 11; renumbered as § 16 on June 18, 1980, No. 149, § 14; renumbered as § 17 on Apr. 15, 1988, No. 16, p. 74, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 47 - Employment Security Act (§§ 701 — 717) › § 701 - Short title and rule of statutory construction

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Puerto Rico Employment Security Act”. This chapter shall be liberally construed to accomplish its purposes to promote employment security by affording opportunities for placement through the maintenance of a system of public employment offices, and to provide, through the accumulation of reserves, for the payment of compensation to individuals with respect to their unemployment.
The Legislature hereby declares its intent to provide for the carrying out of the purposes of this chapter in cooperation with the appropriate agencies of other states and of the federal government.
History —June 21, 1956, No. 74, p. 328, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1957.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 47 - Employment Security Act (§§ 701 — 717) › § 711b - Fund for the payment of interest on loans

(a) Creation.— A special fund is hereby created which shall constitute the Fund for the Payment of Interest on Loans. This fund shall be used exclusively to pay the interest due on the advances of funds requested pursuant to the provisions of § 1202 of Title XII of the Social Security Act. Said fund shall consist of:
(1) All moneys collected as provided in subsection (b) of this section;
(2) all interest accrued on any money in the Fund;
(3) all moneys for losses collected by the Fund, and
(4) all money received by the Fund from any other source.
(b) Computation and notice.— Every employer shall contribute an amount to the Fund that shall be computed by multiplying the wages paid by him to his employees times the percentage to be determined by dividing the amount of interest that shall be paid, by the total wages paid by all employers in Puerto Rico during the next to the last calendar year.
This contribution shall be remitted as part of the unemployment compensation tax starting with the quarter immediately after the quarter in which the advance of funds is requested, and shall be subject to the imposition of interest, penalties and surcharges applicable to said tax. The Secretary of Labor and Human Resources shall determine by administrative order the employers’ quarterly contribution to the Fund created hereunder. Said administrative order shall be given full disclosure.
(c) Disbursements from the Fund.— All moneys in this Fund shall be deposited, administered, and disbursed in the same manner and under the same conditions and requirements provided by law with respect to other special funds in the Treasury of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The Secretary of the Treasury shall be the Treasurer and ex officio custodian of the Fund. He shall be liable under this official bond for the faithful compliance with his duties with regard to the Fund. This responsibility shall be effective as soon as this law is enacted, and shall endure in addition to any other liability under any other separate bond in existence as of the date of approval of this act, or that may be given subsequently. The moneys in this Fund shall be available to the Secretary for:
(1) The payment of interest on the advances of funds received on or after April 1, 1982, and
(2) the payment of any other reimbursement that must be paid from this same Fund.
History —June 21, 1956, No. 74, p. 328, added as § 12A on May 25, 1985, No. 15, p. 46, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 47 - Employment Security Act (§§ 701 — 717) › § 711e - Authorized release from payment of interest, penalties, and surcharges

(a) Any employer covered under the experience system of the Employment Security §§ 701 et seq. of this title, who has failed to file tax statements for any quarter between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2011, or who filed the same, but omitted information about the wages paid to his/her employees, shall have the option of filing the statements and paying the taxes by availing him/herself of the provisions of subsection (c) of this section.
(b) Any employer, who, having filed his/her tax statement, has failed to pay the appropriate tax, may pay the same and avail him/herself of the provisions of subsection (c) of this section.
(c) Employers covered under the experience system that have no payment plan with the Department of Labor and Human Resources, have accrued their debt between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2011, and opt to settle their debt in full on or before October 1, 2012, are hereby released from payment of interest on the principal. With regard to the debt accrued over said period-consisting of penalties and surcharges-a release equal to forty percent (40%) of the total amount of penalties and surcharges is hereby granted, if the employer pays off the indebted amount on or before October 1, 2012. It is hereby provided that, for debts accrued before December 31, 2008, such employers shall only pay the principal amount owed, if they pay such principal amount in full on or before October 1, 2012.
(d) Pursuant to § 702(i) of this title, it is hereby determined that any employers that have not registered with the Bureau of Employment Security and has no employer identification number, may make a voluntary statement and apply for registration as employer to be able to avail themselves of the benefits granted for the payment of taxes provided in this chapter.
History —June 21, 1956, No. 74, p. 328, added as § 12D on Aug. 9, 1991, No. 52, § 4; Aug. 4, 2012, No. 151, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 47 - Employment Security Act (§§ 701 — 717) › § 716 - Surveys in charge of the Secretary

The Secretary is hereby directed to make, immediately after the taking effect of this act, actuarial surveys for the purpose of determining the feasibility of extending the provisions of this chapter to the employing units and services excluded from same.
History —June 21, 1956, No. 74, p. 328, § 16, renumbered as § 17 on Dec. 22, 1960, No. 1, p. 1, § 13, eff. Jan. 1, 1961.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 47 - Employment Security Act (§§ 701 — 717) › § 717 - Saving clause

The Legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal all or any part of this chapter at any time; and there shall be no vested right of any kind against such amendment or repeal. All rights, privileges, or immunities conferred by this chapter or by acts done pursuant thereto shall stand subject to the power of the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to amend or repeal this chapter at any time.
History —June 21, 1956, No. 74, p. 328, § 18, renumbered as § 19 on Dec. 22, 1960, No. 1, p. 1, § 13; renumbered as § 21 on June 8, 1962, No. 27, p. 54, § 9; renumbered as § 22 on June 28, 1963, No. 93, p. 271, § 4; renumbered as § 23 on June 24, 1964, No. 71, p. 213, § 3; renumbered as § 24 on June 24, 1971, No. 85, p. 257, § 14.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 54 - Stay Current on your Employer’s Responsibilities Act (§§ 726 — 726f) › § 726 - Incentive plan

Employers that opt to pay off their debt under the incentive plan provided herein shall be relieved from the payment of interests, surcharges, penalties, and administrative expenses, as applicable, on debts covered under the incentive plan, incurred and owed for the periods, including months, ending on or before June 30, 2013.
As part of the incentive plan, employers may opt to avail themselves of the aforementioned relief on the payment of interests, surcharges, penalties, and administrative expenses, as applicable. Employers may choose to pay in full the principal of the debt outright or on installments under a payment plan. However, if an employer chooses to avail himself of a payment plan, such employer must sign and make the minimum payment as described in this section. The term of the aforementioned plan shall be established for a period that shall not exceed four (4) years, and shall be subject to a minimum initial payment of the principal which shall be paid at the time of availing themselves of the incentive plan. The term of the payment plan shall be established below:
(a) No interest shall be assessed on debts paid in full outright.
(b) Debt to be paid within a period of one (1) year, employers shall make an initial payment of ten percent (10%) of the principal. The outstanding balance shall be subject to a payment plan that shall not exceed twelve (12) months after the granting of the incentive plan, without being subject to any interest whatsoever.
(c) Debt to be paid within a period of two (2) years, employers shall make an initial payment of ten percent (10%) of the principal. The outstanding balance shall be subject to a payment plan that shall not exceed twenty-four (24) months after the granting of the incentive plan, subject to a five percent (5%) annual interest rate.
(d) Debt to be paid within a period of three (3) years, employers shall make an initial payment of ten percent (10%) of the principal. The outstanding balance shall be subject to a payment plan that shall not exceed thirty-six (36) months after the granting of the incentive plan, subject to a seven percent (7%) annual interest rate.
(e) Debt to be paid within a period of four (4) years, employers shall make an initial payment of ten percent (10%) of the principal. The outstanding balance shall be subject to a payment plan that shall not exceed forty-eight (48) months after the granting of the incentive plan, subject to a ten percent (10%) annual interest rate.
History —Jan. 3, 2014, No. 15, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 54 - Stay Current on your Employer’s Responsibilities Act (§§ 726 — 726f) › § 726a - Terms and conditions

(a) Employers must be up to date on the payment and filing of any tax corresponding to periods, including quarters or months, beginning after July 1, 2013 or have paid an equivalent to the foregoing at the time of availing themselves of the incentive plan.
(b) Upon establishing the incentive plan under this chapter all debt covered thereunder shall be stated in detail. However, upon availing themselves of the incentive plan, employers waive any right to challenge the assessment or the notice of debt object of the plan.
(c) Employers undergoing an intervention, fiscal audit, or an administrative hearing or judicial review process may avail themselves of the incentive plan; such action shall be sufficient grounds to desist from the investigation, administrative or judicial process in relation to the debt or debts object of the plan.
(d) Employers that have availed themselves of a payment plan with the Department of Labor and Human Resources or the State Insurance Fund Corporation, as of the effective date of this act may renegotiate the balance of said payment plan with the Secretary or the Administrator, as the case may be, under the terms and conditions established in the inventive plan provided under this chapter.
(e) The payment or payment proposal under the incentive plan chosen pursuant to this chapter shall be voluntary and binding for all purposes and shall not be subject to subsequent claims for refund, reimbursement or credit.
History —Jan. 3, 2014, No. 15, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 54 - Stay Current on your Employer’s Responsibilities Act (§§ 726 — 726f) › § 726b - Exclusions

Employers against whom a legal proceeding has been initiated or is pending due to any tax-related offense may not avail themselves of the provisions of this chapter. Furthermore, employers that have been convicted of tax fraud or whose source of income is illegal, or whose activities or business may be identified as criminal activities or as a pattern of organized crime in accordance with §§ 971 et seq. of Title 25, known as the “Act Against Organized Crime”, shall not avail themselves of the provisions of this chapter.
Officials elected, appointed by the government or confirmed by the Legislative Assembly, as provided by the laws and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, who are also employers, shall not avail themselves of the provisions of this chapter.
History —Jan. 3, 2014, No. 15, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 54 - Stay Current on your Employer’s Responsibilities Act (§§ 726 — 726f) › § 726c - Penalties

Employers that have opted out of this incentive plan, or that have opted to participate in the same but fail to meet any of the requirements or terms set forth in this chapterand the selected incentive plan shall be subject to all the collection mechanisms available under §§ 1 et seq. of Title 11, §§ 681 et seq. of Title 29, §§ 701 et seq. of Title 29, and §§ 201 et seq. of Title 11, including, but not limited to, attachment of real and personal property. In the event of noncompliance with the incentive plan, the debt shall be reinstated and the interest, surcharges, penalties, administrative expenses and additions thereon shall be applied thereto without obtaining any relief or discount whatsoever.
History —Jan. 3, 2014, No. 15, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 54 - Stay Current on your Employer’s Responsibilities Act (§§ 726 — 726f) › § 726d - Regulations, orientation, duration of the Incentive Plan-Separate incentive plans

The Secretary of the Department of Labor and Human Resources, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury shall issue, not later than sixty (60) days counted as of the approval of this act, any circular letter or administrative determination as is necessary to establish the guidelines or procedures that shall govern the granting of incentives under this chapter and that shall apply with regard to §§ 681 et seq. of Title 29, §§ 701 et seq. of Title 29, and §§ 201 et seq. of Title 11. However, the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources shall establish such guidelines in a prompt and flexible manner, free from restrictions and technicalities that may impair the attainment of the objectives of this chapter.
Independently and separately from the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Administrator of the State Insurance Fund Corporation, shall issue, not later than sixty (60) days as of the approval of this act, any circular letter or administrative determination as is necessary to establish the guidelines or procedures that shall govern the granting of incentives under this chapter and that shall apply with regard to §§ 1 et seq. of Title 11. However, the Administrator shall establish such guidelines in a prompt and flexible manner, free from restrictions and technicalities that may impair the attainment of the objectives of this chapter.
Once the circular letter or administrative determination is issued, the Department of Labor and/or the State Insurance Fund Corporation, as the case may be, shall initiate an orientation period to inform the citizenry of the benefits of this chapter. The duration of such orientation period shall be thirty (30) days as of the issue of the first circular letter or administrative determination promulgated by said agency and/or public corporation, as the case may be, regarding the provisions set forth herein.
Once the orientation period ends, the Inventive Plan shall take effect and the duration thereof shall be one hundred (100) calendar days.
It is hereby provided that the Incentive Plan under the Department of Labor and Human Resources for the laws specified herein shall be governed by the parameters established in this chapter and the regulations thereunder, and that it shall be independent and separate from the Incentive Plan under the State Insurance Fund Corporation, also established herein.
History —Jan. 3, 2014, No. 15, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 54 - Stay Current on your Employer’s Responsibilities Act (§§ 726 — 726f) › § 726e - Funds collected according to the inventive plan

The sums collected from the payments received as a result of the incentive plan established under this chapter shall be deposited in the special funds established under §§ 1 et seq. of Title 11, §§ 681 et seq. of Title 29, §§ 701 et seq. of Title 29, and §§ 201 et seq. of Title 11, respectively in accordance with the lawful origin of the debt that prompted such payment.
However, and as an exception, of the sums collected from the payments received as a result of the incentive plan established in this chapter with regard to §§ 1 et seq. of Title 11 and administered by the State Insurance Fund Corporation, the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,0000) shall be deposited in a special account, separate from other expenses, to be used by said entity for the purposes of improving the services offered to employers, namely, the acquisition of computer equipment, the acquisition or development of information systems, the development of operational processes and procedures, and training of personnel.
History —Jan. 3, 2014, No. 15, § 8; July 15, 2014, No. 91, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART III - Social Security (§§ 611 — 726f) › Chapter 54 - Stay Current on your Employer’s Responsibilities Act (§§ 726 — 726f) › § 726f - Sale of payment plans

Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 354 et seq. of Title 13, the payment plan in the State Insurance Fund Corporation as of the effective date of this act may be sold by the latter to private or government institutions at a discount or a premium, safeguarding the best interests of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The State Insurance Fund Corporation shall prescribe through a bulletin, circular letter or other administrative determination the necessary rules to carry out such transactions. The proceeds from the sale of said debt shall be deposited and allocated as provided in § 726e of this title. The State Insurance Fund Corporation shall protect the right of employers with respect to the confidentiality of the information provided in accordance with the code of laws in effect.
History —Jan. 3, 2014, No. 15, § 9; July 15, 2014, No. 91, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART IV - Veterans (§§ 731-734 — 864) › Chapter 62 - Bill of Rights of the Puerto Rican Veteran for the 21st Century (§§ 735 — 743) › § 735 - Definitions

The following terms, whenever they appear in this chapter, shall have the meaning indicated hereunder, except when the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a) Bill.— Means the Bill of Rights of the Puerto Rican Veteran for the 21st Century.
(b) Office.— Means the Office of the Advocate for Veterans Affairs of Puerto Rico created §§ 823—823k of this title.
(c) Advocate.— Means the Advocate for Veterans Affairs who shall be in charge of directing the Office of the Advocate for Veterans Affairs.
(d) Veteran.— Means every person who has honorably served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America, to wit: the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marines and the Coast Guard of the United States as well the Officers Corps of the Public Health Service of the United States, and in its successors in law entities and who meets the conditions as a veteran according to the federal laws in effect. This shall include those persons whose service in the reserve corps of the Armed Forces or the National Guard meet the requirements provided by said laws. The term veteran may be used indistinctly for both males and females and this chapter shall be indifferent as to a person’s gender.
(e) Competitive entrance examination(s).— Means the examination or examinations which an employer gives to various persons who desire a specific job within an organization so as to determine the capabilities of each of the applicants for performing the tasks of said job, including, but not limited to the administration of written, oral, theoretical and practical examinations, psychological and qualifying evaluations, etc., among others.
(f) Spouse.— Means a person to whom a veteran is legally and validly married, pursuant to the laws of Puerto Rico and who has lived with said veteran continuously from the date of his/her wedding to the date of his/her death.
(g) Surviving spouse.— Means that person to whom a veteran is legally and validly married, pursuant to the laws of Puerto Rico, at his/her time of death.
(h) Active military service.— Means full time military service of an individual in the Armed Forces.
(i) Child.— Means a person who is a son or a daughter of a veteran, be it a biological child or a child legally adopted by the veteran.
(j) Service-related.— Means the death or disability caused by an injury or illness while in active military service be it on land, sea or air, or a death that occurs as a consequence of an injury or disability suffered in the battlefield.
History —Dec. 14, 2007, No. 203, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART IV - Veterans (§§ 731-734 — 864) › Chapter 62 - Bill of Rights of the Puerto Rican Veteran for the 21st Century (§§ 735 — 743) › § 736 - Establishment

An orderly collection of all the laws approved for the benefit of all veterans of Puerto Rico is hereby established to be known as the New Bill of Rights of the Puerto Rican Veteran for the 21st Century.
History —Dec. 14, 2007, No. 203, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART IV - Veterans (§§ 731-734 — 864) › Chapter 62 - Bill of Rights of the Puerto Rican Veteran for the 21st Century (§§ 735 — 743) › § 738 - Evidence of service in the Armed Forces

For the purposes of this chapter, the honorable discharge or separation certificate or a certification issued to that effect by the Federal Veterans Administration or by the corresponding federal authority shall be accrediting evidence of having served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
History —Dec. 14, 2007, No. 203, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART IV - Veterans (§§ 731-734 — 864) › Chapter 62 - Bill of Rights of the Puerto Rican Veteran for the 21st Century (§§ 735 — 743) › § 739 - Rights of surviving spouse and minor or disabled children

(a) The privileges and exemptions granted to a veteran by this chapter shall subsist, in the case of death, for all the time said veteran would have enjoyed them it he/she had lived, in favor of his/her surviving spouse and his/her minor children and those of legal age that are disabled.
(b) Such benefits shall cease with regard to his/her surviving spouse as soon as he/she remarries, and as to the minor children, as soon as they reach legal age and as to disabled children, as soon as said disability ceases after having reached legal age.
History —Dec. 14, 2007, No. 203, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART IV - Veterans (§§ 731-734 — 864) › Chapter 62 - Bill of Rights of the Puerto Rican Veteran for the 21st Century (§§ 735 — 743) › § 740 - Government regulations

(a) In addition to the regulations this chapter expressly demands from the various government departments or agencies, all Branches of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the subdivisions or agencies of said Branches, as well as the instrumentalities, public or quasi-public corporations, and the municipal governments, must enforce those regulations or amend those that already exist so as to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
History —Dec. 14, 2007, No. 203, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART IV - Veterans (§§ 731-734 — 864) › Chapter 62 - Bill of Rights of the Puerto Rican Veteran for the 21st Century (§§ 735 — 743) › § 742 - Violations and penalties

Those persons found to be violating any of the rights herein established shall be guilty of a crime and be fined with a sum of up to two thousand dollars ($2,000). The companies or the agencies of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and those individuals who hinder or act so as to affect the rights of the members of the Armed Forces or of the veterans shall be liable for the damages caused to the soldier or veteran, including the payment of attorney’s fees. The judge shall be empowered to impose a compensation of up to three (3) times the damages caused to the veteran.
The Advocate is hereby authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter in order to investigate, address and process violations of the same and may represent in the courts of justice of Puerto Rico those veterans who have been harmed by violations of this chapter.
History —Dec. 14, 2007, No. 203, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART IV - Veterans (§§ 731-734 — 864) › Chapter 62 - Bill of Rights of the Puerto Rican Veteran for the 21st Century (§§ 735 — 743) › § 743 - Construction

This chapter must be construed in the manner most liberal and beneficial to the veteran. Should there be conflict between the provisions of this chapter and those of any other law, the one most favorable to the veteran shall prevail.
History —Dec. 14, 2007, No. 203, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART IV - Veterans (§§ 731-734 — 864) › Chapter 67 - Veterans Advocate’s Office (§§ 823 — 823k) › § 823 - Short title

This chapter shall be known and shall be cited as the “Puerto Rico Veterans Advocate’s Office Act”.
History —June 27, 1987, No. 57, p. 188, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART IV - Veterans (§§ 731-734 — 864) › Chapter 67 - Veterans Advocate’s Office (§§ 823 — 823k) › § 823a - Definitions

The following terms as used in this chapter shall have the meaning indicated hereunder:
(a) Office.— Shall mean the Puerto Rican Veterans Advocate’s Office created in § 823b of this title.
(b) Advocate.— Shall mean the “Veterans Advocate” who shall be in charge of directing the Puerto Rican Veterans Advocate’s Office.
(c) Public agency.— Shall mean any department, board, commission, office, division, bureau, public corporation or any subsidiary thereof, municipality or instrumentality of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any official or employee thereof in the performance of his official duties.
(d) Veteran.— Shall mean any bona fide resident of Puerto Rico who has served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America and has been honorably discharged.
(e) Private interests.— Shall mean a private person, professional groups, private corporation, non-government entity or partnership.
History —June 27, 1987, No. 57, p. 188, § 2; Aug. 27, 1994, No. 105, § 1; Jan. 10, 1998, No. 20, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART IV - Veterans (§§ 731-734 — 864) › Chapter 67 - Veterans Advocate’s Office (§§ 823 — 823k) › § 823b - Office—Creation

The Veterans Advocate’s Office is hereby created, which shall be attached to the Office of the Governor, and shall have, among other functions provided herein, the responsibility of handling the problems, needs and claims of Puerto Rican Veterans in the areas of education, employment, health, housing, transportation, and social, tax and labor legislation. It shall also be responsible for establishing and developing programs to assist, guide and counsel veterans for their protection, and that of their families.
The Office shall be directed by an Advocate appointed by the Governor of Puerto Rico, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Advocate’s salary or remuneration shall be fixed according to customary standards in the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for positions of a like or similar nature.
The Advocate shall perform the administrative duties of his office, and shall act with autonomy with respect to the programming and administrative aspects. The office shall be deemed as an Individual Administrator for the purpose of personnel administration, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 1—10.1 of Act No. 5 of October 14, 1975, as amended, known as the “Public Service Personnel Act of Puerto Rico”. The Office shall have a term of six (6) months starting from the approval of this act to adopt personnel regulations and classification and salary plans for career and confidential services.
The Advocate may appoint a Deputy Advocate, upon prior consultation with the Governor of Puerto Rico, and delegate any of the duties, except those established in §§ 823h and 823j of this title. The person appointed as Deputy Advocate shall meet all the requirements established for the Advocate in this section.
In the event that the position of Veterans Advocate becomes vacant due to illness, disability, temporary absence or any other reason, the Deputy Advocate shall assume all his functions, duties and powers until a successor is designated and takes office.
History —June 27, 1987, No. 57, p. 188, § 3; Dec. 13, 1990, No. 38, p. 1554, § 3; Aug. 27, 1994, No. 105, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART IV - Veterans (§§ 731-734 — 864) › Chapter 67 - Veterans Advocate’s Office (§§ 823 — 823k) › § 823c - Office—Functions and responsibilities

The Office shall have the following functions and responsibilities, in addition to any others provided in this chapter or in the statutes or programs whose administration and implementation is delegated to it:
(a) To develop all necessary and pertinent activities leading to a better, more effective, fairer and more efficient application in Puerto Rico of all federal and Commonwealth laws on pensions, bonuses and benefits of all kinds for veterans of the United States Armed Forces and their families.
(b) To put into effect and to ensure compliance of the provisions of Act No. 13 of October 2, 1980, as amended, known as the “Puerto Rican Veterans’ Bill of Rights”, the regulations promulgated thereunder and any other laws or regulations to be approved in the future, in benefit of Puerto Rican veterans and their families.
(c) To take any measures deemed necessary, including legal counsel of medical experts or liaison personnel, for the speedy handling of all types of matters, petitions, investigations and claims of Puerto Rican veterans and their families, in the National Veterans Administration in its Washington, D.C. offices, the Social Security Administration and in its local or regional offices. To such purposes, it may obtain, furnish or contract for legal, medical or technical services, or appear for and in representation of the veterans and their families who qualify for benefits under the pertinent federal laws, before any forum, Commonwealth or federal court, board or commission, administrative body, department, office or agency of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, in any hearing, proceeding or matter that affects or may affect these persons’ interests, rights and benefits.
(d) To carry out, by itself, or in coordination with other public agencies, the needed studies on the problems related to education, work, housing and others for Puerto Rican veterans, their widows and children, and shall draft and recommend to the Legislature of Puerto Rico those legislative measures it deems are useful and necessary to help veterans and their families.
(e) To establish and organize a program whereby veterans and their families may channel their complaints or claims in those cases in which public agencies fail to act or their rights have been violated, and to serve as liaison between them and the agencies concerned.
(f) To establish and execute a vigorous counseling and guidance plan with regard to all the programs, services and benefits to which Puerto Rican veterans and their families are entitled, and on the requirements, mechanisms, means, resources or procedures to obtain, participate and benefit from them, and to assert their rights.
(g) To provide a Puerto Rican flag, free of charge, to the family of a deceased veteran when said flag is requested to be used in the veteran’s funeral.
History —June 27, 1987, No. 57, p. 188, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-NINE - Labor (§§ 1 — 3004) › PART IV - Veterans (§§ 731-734 — 864) › Chapter 67 - Veterans Advocate’s Office (§§ 823 — 823k) › § 823d - Advocate—Powers and duties

In order to comply with the purposes of this chapter, the Advocate shall have the following powers and duties, among others:
(a) To determine the internal organization of the Office and establish any systems that are needed for its proper functioning and operation, as well as to perform the administrative and managerial activities needed to implement this chapter and any other local or federal acts and the regulations adopted by virtue thereof which are delegated to him.
(b) In accordance with what is established in § 13 of this act, subject to the Governor’s approval, to appoint the personnel needed to execute the purposes of this chapter, pursuant to Act No. 5 of October 14, 1975, as amended, known as the “Public Service Personnel Act”, deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, subject to the standards and regulations of the Department of the Treasury.
(c) To enter into agreements or contracts with the agencies of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and of the Government of the United States of America to render services to veterans and their families that will ensure the protection of their rights, and for the administration of any program or funds appropriated for those purposes.
To such effects, the Office of the Veterans Advocate is designated as the agency of the government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico which shall be charged with the administration of any Commonwealth or federal program which, because of its nature, purpose and scope, is related to the functions entrusted to it by this chapter. The Advocate, after consultation with the Governor, shall have the responsibility of entering into and executing all the necessary contracts and agreements so that the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico can receive all federal funds and benefits in order to carry out said programs.
(d) To render an annual report of all its activities to the Legislature of Puerto Rico.
(e) Prepare and administer the budget of the Office as well as the funds which, by virtue of any local or federal laws, are appropriated or assigned to the Office for their administration, and also establish an accounting system pursuant to the legal provisions in effect with regard to the accounting, administration and disbursement of public funds.
(f) In the exercise of his/her discretion and in compliance with the ministerial duty to watch over the best interests of veterans and their families, the Advocate, upon prior consultation with the Governor, may negotiate and grant to private interests all types of contracts or use other contracting models, including the delegating of the operation and total or partial administration of installations, facilities or programs that have been delegated to him/her or that the Veterans Advocate’s Office is in charge of.
History —June 27, 1987, No. 57, p. 188, § 5; Dec. 13, 1990, No. 38, p. 1554, § 4; Aug. 27, 1994, No. 105, § 3; Jan. 10, 1998, No. 20, § 2.