reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVEN - Banking (§§ 1 — 3116) › PART VII - Other Financial Institutions (§§ 3001-3012 — 3116) › Chapter 145 - International Financial Center Regulatory Act (§§ 3081 — 3106) › § 3099 - Administrative hearings, adjudication proceedings, and judicial review

All matters related to administrative hearings procedure, adjudicatory proceedings and judicial review shall be provided in Regulations No. 3920 of June 23, 1989, known as the “Regulations to Regulate the Adjudication Proceedings Under the Jurisdiction of the Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions” or any other regulations substituting or amending the same, promulgated by the Commissioner in accordance with the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedures Act of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico”.
History —Sept. 25, 2012, No. 273, § 20.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVEN - Banking (§§ 1 — 3116) › PART VII - Other Financial Institutions (§§ 3001-3012 — 3116) › Chapter 145 - International Financial Center Regulatory Act (§§ 3081 — 3106) › § 3100 - Property tax exemption

The real and personal property, tangible and intangible, belonging to an international financial institution duly authorized under this chapter, shall be exempt from property taxes.
History —Sept. 25, 2012, No. 273, § 21.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVEN - Banking (§§ 1 — 3116) › PART VII - Other Financial Institutions (§§ 3001-3012 — 3116) › Chapter 145 - International Financial Center Regulatory Act (§§ 3081 — 3106) › § 3101 - Municipal license tax exemption

The international financial institutions duly authorized by this chapter, shall be exempt from the payment of municipal license taxes levied under §§ 651–652 of Title 21, known as the “Municipal License Tax Act”.
History —Sept. 25, 2012, No. 273, § 22.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVEN - Banking (§§ 1 — 3116) › PART VII - Other Financial Institutions (§§ 3001-3012 — 3116) › Chapter 145 - International Financial Center Regulatory Act (§§ 3081 — 3106) › § 3102 - Contributions to the Special Fund for the Development of Services for Export and Promotion

(a) During the effective term of this act, seven point five percent (7.5%) of the revenues derived from the income tax paid by international financial institutions shall be covered into the Special Fund for the Development of Services for Export and Promotion, created by the “Act to Promote the Export of Services”.
History —Sept. 25, 2012, No. 273, § 23.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVEN - Banking (§§ 1 — 3116) › PART VII - Other Financial Institutions (§§ 3001-3012 — 3116) › Chapter 145 - International Financial Center Regulatory Act (§§ 3081 — 3106) › § 3103 - Effect of existing laws

(a) Insofar as the laws of Puerto Rico are not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, the laws of Puerto Rico shall prevail.
(b) Insofar as the provisions of this chapter are inconsistent with any other laws of Puerto Rico, the provisions of this chapter shall prevail.
History —Sept. 25, 2012, No. 273, § 24.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVEN - Banking (§§ 1 — 3116) › PART VII - Other Financial Institutions (§§ 3001-3012 — 3116) › Chapter 145 - International Financial Center Regulatory Act (§§ 3081 — 3106) › § 3104 - Decrees issued under industrial or tax exemption laws

The Tax Exemption Office shall not receive new applications for businesses exemption decrees under subsections (d)(1)(D)(i) and (h)(2) of § 10642 of Title 13, after the date of effective date of this act. Decrees issued under §§ 10641 et seq. of Title 13 or under similar preceding laws shall remain in effect pursuant to their respective provisions. Applications for new decrees for services eligible under subsections (d)(1)(D)(i) and (h)(2) of § 10642 of Title 13 filed before the effective date of this act, which have not been issued before the date of effective date of this act, may be processed, at the option of the applicant, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter; provided, that they are considered eligible businesses under this chapter.
History —Sept. 25, 2012, No. 273, § 25.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVEN - Banking (§§ 1 — 3116) › PART VII - Other Financial Institutions (§§ 3001-3012 — 3116) › Chapter 145 - International Financial Center Regulatory Act (§§ 3081 — 3106) › § 3105 - Non applicable existing legislation

The provisions of §§ 1 et seq. of this title, known as the “Puerto Rico Banking Laws”, and the provisions of §§ 998 et seq. of Title 10, which fixes the maximum allowed rates or interest charges for loans, shall not apply to international financial institutions created under this chapter. Also, § 4591 of Title 31, which established the interest rate in absence of agreement and the limit of rate fixed by agreement shall not apply. Notwithstanding, the foregoing, none of the provisions of this chapter shall be construed to limit the powers of the Governor of Puerto Rico, or of the person appointed by him/her, granted by § 204 of this title; § 205 of this title; §§ 206–209 of this title; §§ 210–214 of this title; and § 215 of this title.
History —Sept. 25, 2012, No. 273, § 26.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVEN - Banking (§§ 1 — 3116) › PART VII - Other Financial Institutions (§§ 3001-3012 — 3116) › Chapter 145 - International Financial Center Regulatory Act (§§ 3081 — 3106) › § 3106 - Transition measures

Sections 232 et seq. of this title, known as the “International Banking Center Regulatory Act” shall remain in effect and none of the provisions of this chapter shall be construed to impair the renewal of licenses under §§ 232 et seq. of this title. International banking entities to which a license was issued pursuant to § 232e of this title, known as the “International Banking Center Regulatory Act”, shall be subject to the provisions of the aforementioned §§ 232 et seq. of this title. This includes renewing its license under §§ 232 et seq. of this title or, at the option of the international banking entity, it may request to avail itself of the provisions of this chapter, subject to the conditions established by the Commissioner through regulations, circular letter, or administrative determination. If the conversion request is granted and a license is issued under this chapter, the international banking entity shall be considered an international financial institution organized in accordance with this chapter and shall enjoy the rights privileges, powers, and authority and be subject to the duties, obligations, penalties, responsibilities, conditions, and limitations provided in this chapter and the decree and license issued thereunder.
Organization permits and license applications other than a renewal filed to organize an international banking entity under §§ 232 et seq. of this title, which were submitted to the Commissioner and were not issued before the effective date of this act can be processed pursuant to this chapterat the option of the applicant. Any regulations adopted by virtue of the aforementioned §§ 232 et seq. of this title, that are not in conflict with this chapter, may be used to interpret and implement the provisions of this chapter until the corresponding regulations are approved in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. New applications for authorization to organize international banking entities under §§ 232 et seq. of this title shall not be accepted after the effective date of this act.
History —Sept. 25, 2012, No. 273, § 27.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVEN - Banking (§§ 1 — 3116) › PART VII - Other Financial Institutions (§§ 3001-3012 — 3116) › Chapter 146 - Private Equity Funds Act (§§ 3111 — 3116) › § 3113 - Private equity fund election

(a) Any entity that meets the eligibility requirements mentioned in § 3112 of this title may choose to be treated as a Fund only if it notifies said election to the Secretary of Treasury no later than the last day of the third month after the inception date of the Fund. The Secretary of Treasury shall issue through public administrative determinations, circular letters and other similar communication of a general character establishing the form and manner in which the entity should make the election to be treated as a Fund.
(b) Failure to comply with the eligibility requirements will prevent the entity to qualify as a Fund during the year of breach and, therefore, the entity will be subject to the applicable taxation under the provisions of the Code, the Municipal License Tax Act, and the Municipal Property Tax Act. If the entity is disqualified for a particular taxable year due to failure of compliance in accordance with the provisions of this chapter it shall request the Secretary of Treasury, subject to the requirements that he or she issues in public administrative determinations, circular letters and other similar communication of a general character, to be treated again as a Fund for subsequent taxable years.
History —Nov. 12, 2014, No. 185, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVEN - Banking (§§ 1 — 3116) › PART VII - Other Financial Institutions (§§ 3001-3012 — 3116) › Chapter 146 - Private Equity Funds Act (§§ 3111 — 3116) › § 3115 - Information disclosure

(a) Any participation or investment offer in a Fund shall be properly registered or notified to CFIPR and comply with all provisions of the Federal Security Law of the United States and Puerto Rico, as applicable with respect to disclosure and registration.
(b) Every Fund shall:
(1) Inform its investors of its operating results on a quarterly basis (unaudited) and annually audited by a certified public accountant duly licensed in Puerto Rico in order to verify that the Fund is operating in accordance to the policies, practices, and agreements presented during its organization. The annually audited report shall include: internal return of investment (“IRI”), breakdown of fees and expenses of the partnership, summary of capital calls, debt summary and a letter from the general partners to the investors.
(2) The disclosure of the Fund shall include:
(A) Risks and opportunities in the Fund as well as material events including but not limited to: fraud, material breach of the fiduciary duty, material breach of an agreement, bad faith, and gross negligence.
(B) Certification of Fund compliance with provisions of this chapter duly sworn by the chief executive officer.
(3) Hold up an annual meeting for its partners in which the general partners shares information regarding the operation of the Fund with its investors and/or limited partners.
(4) CFIPR shall have the power to conduct tests and inspections of the Funds to ensure that its operations and financial results have been properly informed, meet the fiduciary duty with its investors and comply with the requirements of this chapter. The Fund will pay the cost established by the CFIPR under regulation to perform such tests and inspections. CFIPR will take the necessary actions including the liquidation of the Fund and cessation if additional offerings of its securities in the event of a breach.
History —Nov. 12, 2014, No. 185, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVEN - Banking (§§ 1 — 3116) › PART VII - Other Financial Institutions (§§ 3001-3012 — 3116) › Chapter 146 - Private Equity Funds Act (§§ 3111 — 3116) › § 3116 - Term of the funds

Every Fund will be created with a term of existence that will be determined by its general partners. The general partner has the ability to automatically extend the term of existence of the Fund for a maximum period of one (1) year. Additional terms of existence shall require approval in accordance to Fund statutes to the extent that the majority of the Fund’s limited partners consent the extension.
History —Nov. 12, 2014, No. 185, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 1 - Preamble; purpose

Social service and assistance to persons of families who are unable to provide themselves with the essentials of a decent livelihood is a basic responsibility of government. The fulfillment of such responsibility will be fully assured when all the resources of government for such purposes are so coordinated and administered that the multiplicity of agencies and the inequalities and duplication of services are eliminated.
In order to provide a public welfare program for Puerto Rico that will eliminate duplication and inequalities and that will further the most effective use of existing funds and of funds made available in the future by the Government of Puerto Rico or, through supplementation, by the federal government, for public assistance to needy persons or families and for the protection and care of children, it is necessary to centralize under a single agency the administration of such services and assistance, and any other similar services.
The purpose of §§ 1–26 of this title is to place the administration of all forms of public aid and all social services under the Division of Public Welfare hereby created in the Commonwealth Department of the Family.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 1, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 2 - Short title

Sections 1–26 of this title shall be known as the Public Welfare Act of Puerto Rico.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 2, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 3 - Definitions

For the purposes of §§ 1–26 of this title the terms hereinafter stated are defined as follows:
(a) Division.— Shall mean the Division of Public Welfare hereby created.
(b) Department.— Shall mean the Department of the Family of Puerto Rico.
(c) Board.— Shall mean the Public Welfare Board hereby created.
(d) Director.— Shall mean the Director of Public Welfare.
(e) Public assistance.— Shall mean financial aid, medical care, welfare services and relief in kind to needy individuals.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 3, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 4 - Public Welfare Board

A Public Welfare Board is hereby created, which shall consist of the Secretary of the Family, ex-officio, and six (6) persons appointed by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of the Senate of Puerto Rico. The Governor shall designate one of these persons to preside over the Board. Appointments shall be made on the basis of recognized interest in and knowledge of the field of public welfare. The members shall be appointed for terms of four (4) years; Provided, however, That of the first six (6) members appointed, two (2) shall be appointed for two (2) years; two (2) for three (3) years and two (2) for four (4) years. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired term.
The Chairman of the Board shall call a meeting within ten (10) days after the members of the Board have taken the oath of office. At the first meeting the Board shall determine its organization and shall make rules and regulations for its functioning. The members of the Board shall receive no compensation except per diems and traveling expenses.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 4, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 5 - Public Welfare Board—Duties

It shall be the duty of the Board to promote the development of the programs and objectives of the Division of Public Welfare and its plans for the furtherance and utilization of all available resources for the adoption of adequate public welfare measures, and to participate in interpreting the programs and objectives of the Division to the people of Puerto Rico.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 5, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 6 - Division of Public Welfare—Creation

A Division of Public Welfare is hereby created in the Commonwealth Department of the Family, which shall consist of a Director of Public Welfare and all other necessary personnel.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 6, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 7 - Division of Public Welfare—Director

The Director of Public Welfare shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Family and shall be the executive and administrative head of the Division. The person so appointed shall be a resident of Puerto Rico and must have shown administrative ability and had successful experience in the organization and direction of social services. His/her salary shall be the same as the salaries of chiefs of other major divisions of the Department.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 7, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 8 - Division of Public Welfare—Personnel

The personnel required for the administration of §§ 1–26 of this title, except the Secretary of the Family, shall be subject to the provisions of the Personnel Act, notwithstanding any other provision of law. Appointments shall be made in conformity with a plan of employment, classification and selection of personnel on the basis of qualifications of training and experience. The Division shall cooperate with the Office of Personnel in the formulation of said plan.
The Secretary of the Family shall appoint the necessary personnel for the work of the Division, including an assistant Director, the heads of the sections and offices which may be organized and all other personnel of the Division, including Workers of Public Assistance of the Division of Public Welfare, who are hereby relieved and it is ordered that they be exempt from a compliance with the requirements demanded by §§ 821–850 of Title 20.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 8; May 14, 1945, No. 269, p. 942, § 1, eff. 90 days after May 14, 1945.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 9 - Division of Public Welfare—Organization

There is hereby established, within the Division, such sections and offices as the Director, with the approval of the Secretary, may deem necessary to perform the duties of the Division.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 9, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 11 - Local public welfare services

The Division shall establish local service units which shall be designated as public welfare units and which shall cover one or more municipalities, and it may appoint a board of representative citizens of the municipality or municipalities to further the development of the programs and objectives of the Division.
The Division shall, through its local units, cooperate in the development of municipal public welfare programs, and may receive, from municipal authorities, office quarters, and equipment or funds for assistance or for extending public welfare programs, in said municipality or municipalities. On request of municipal authorities, the local units may administer and take over any public welfare program for which the municipality or municipalities may be directly responsible. The local units shall cooperate with the Court of First Instance within their respective jurisdictions, and shall provide the necessary assistance to those children whose cases are pending in court.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 11, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 12 - Eligibility—General assistance

Public assistance shall be granted under §§ 1–26 of this title to any person who lacks sufficient income or resources to support himself and who establishes his/her inability to earn a living.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 12, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 12a - Eligibility—Payment through guardians

Payments made to any minor or elderly person incapacitated to administer his/her properties may be made in the name of his/her custodian or guardian.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, added as § 12a on June 19, 1969, No. 51, p. 93, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 13 - Eligibility—Persons over 65 years

Public assistance or medical assistance or public assistance and medical assistance shall be granted according to the provisions of §§ 1–26 of this title and with the rules and regulations of the Division of Public Welfare, to any individual with a low economic income who has attained the age of sixty-five (65) years.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 13; May 21, 1962, No. 14, § 1; June 19, 1969, No. 51, p. 93, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 14 - Eligibility—Needy children

Public assistance shall be granted to any needy child under the age of eighteen (18) years, who, by reason of the death, continued absence from the home, or physical or mental incapacity of a parent, is living with his/her father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, brother, sister, stepfather, stepmother, stepbrother, stepsister, uncle or aunt, cousin or cousiness [sic], nephew or niece, in a place of residence maintained as own residence by one or more of them; Provided, That whenever the minor lacks these relatives or whenever the home of these relatives is not considered fit for the child, the Division may grant assistance provided the child is under the custody of an adult of recognized moral solvency who is genuinely interested in the well-being of the child and in condition to provide him/her with a home, under the supervision of this Division.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 15; May 7, 1948, No. 106, p. 246, § 1; May 18, 1959, No. 14, p. 71, § 1; June 19, 1969, No. 51, p. 93, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 14a - Eligibility—Certification of school attendance as a prior requirement to receive public assistance

All applicants or beneficiaries of the public assistance programs shall file with the government agencies concerned, attesting evidence that their children under eighteen (18) years of age are in effect attending school, as a prior requirement for obtaining public assistance.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, added as § 15a on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 199, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 14b - Eligibility—Notice of noncompliance of the school hourly schedule and paternal duties

The Department of Education and every private educational institution shall notify the parents of the absences or irregular tardinesses of their minor children. If after a second notice of an absence, the parents fail to take the necessary measures for the students to attend classes regularly, all public assistance received by the family shall be suspended.
The agencies, municipalities and public instrumentalities of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall suspend all public assistance benefits provided, until the parents of the minor and the minor him/herself prove, and the educational institution certifies, that the absences or tardiness have been corrected.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, added as § 15b on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 199, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 15 - Eligibility—The blind

Public assistance shall be granted under the provisions of §§ 1–26 of this title, to all such needy individuals deprived of sight, or whose eyesight is so defective as to prevent the performance of ordinary activities for which eyesight is essential, as are not receiving old-age assistance.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 16; June 19, 1969, No. 51, p. 93, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 15a - Eligibility—Totally and permanently disabled

Public assistance shall be granted under the provisions of §§ 1–26 of this title to any needy person aged eighteen (18) years or over who is not receiving public assistance under any other category, and who according to the norms established by the Public Welfare Division is found to be totally and permanently disabled to earn his/her livelihood.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, added as § 16a on June 19, 1959, No. 57, p. 164, § 2; June 19, 1969, No. 51, p. 93, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 16 - Amount of assistance

The amount of assistance which a recipient shall receive shall be determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Division, with due regard to his/her application, his/her requirements, and the income and resources available to him/her, except in the case of a recipient of assistance to the blind, in which case the first eighty-five dollars ($85) monthly obtained by him/her by his/her own work or as a profit from business administered by him/her shall not be reckoned as resources; Provided, further, That the Division may vary this amount in the future so as to adjust it to other amendments of the federal act, or may apply the same to other categories of assistance, should Congress so provide as a requirement in such categories; Provided, further, That income in addition to the eighty-five dollars ($85) monthly which the recipient of assistance to the blind may obtain shall be estimated at half, for the purpose of deciding his/her eligibility and the amount of assistance to be received.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 17; June 10, 1953, No. 50, p. 132; May 21, 1962, No. 14, § 2, eff. July 1, 1962.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 17 - Application for public assistance

Application for public assistance under the provisions of §§ 1–26 of this title shall be made in the manner and form prescribed by the Division and shall contain such information as the Division may require.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 18, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 18 - Application for public assistance—Investigation

Upon the receipt of an application for public assistance the Division shall make the proper investigation and record of the circumstances of the applicant in order to corroborate the facts set forth in the application and to obtain such other information as it may deem necessary.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 19, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 19 - Award of public assistance

The Division shall determine whether the applicant is eligible for public assistance under the provisions of §§ 1–26 of this title, the type and amount of public assistance he shall receive, and the date upon which such public assistance shall begin. Payments shall be made in the manner prescribed by the Division; Provided, That in those cases in which the beneficiary is, by reason of advanced age or physical or mental disability, incapacitated to cash his/her check and to administer the assistance awarded, the Division may appoint as custodian a person of legal age of recognized moral solvency. The check shall be drawn in the name of this custodian, who shall be charged with cashing it and administering the assistance for the good of the beneficiary, under the supervision of this Division.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 20; May 7, 1948, No. 106, p. 246, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 20 - Award of public assistance—Redetermination

The Division shall change or withdraw the assistance whenever it may be determined that the circumstances of a case have altered sufficiently to warrant the change or total withdrawal of such assistance. If during the time he is receiving public assistance, the beneficiary thereof receives income or acquires resources in excess of the amount previously corroborated by the Division, he shall notify the Division immediately.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 21, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 21 - Fraudulent acts, penalties

Any person who willfully fails to comply with the provisions of § 20 of this title or who knowingly makes false statements or inexact representations in relation to an application for assistance, or who omits the declaration of facts, or who otherwise obtains assistance to which he is not lawfully entitled; or any person who aids or abets another to obtain by said means assistance to which he is not entitled, or assistance greater than that to which he is entitled, or any person who aids or abets another to dispose of or sell any property for the purpose of defeating the purposes of §§ 1–26 of this title, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred and fifty dollars ($250), or by imprisonment in jail for a term of not more than three (3) months, or by both penalties; Provided, That in those cases in which a beneficiary fails to comply with the provisions of § 20, or of this section, or in which any person obtains, collects, cashes, or disposes of a public assistance check not belonging to him/her, and it is verified that he has resources and/or income in excess of the minimum needs authorized by the agency, such person shall reimburse the agency the said amount unduly collected; Provided, further, That should such beneficiary or other person refuse to comply with this provision, the Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico shall be empowered to collect said amount through attachment and execution of any property belonging to the said beneficiary or person, with the exception of the homestead established by law.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 22; May 7, 1948, No. 106, p. 246, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 22 - Review of decisions, hearings

Any applicant or recipient aggrieved because of the Division’s decision in his/her case, or the delay in making a decision, shall be entitled to request a reconsideration of his/her case by the Division in the manner prescribed by the latter, and shall be heard and afforded an opportunity for a fair hearing by the Division.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 23, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 23 - Nonassignable

Public assistance granted under the provisions of §§ 1–26 of this title shall not be transferable or assignable at law or in equity, and none of the moneys paid or payable under §§ 1–26 of this title shall be subject to execution, levy, attachment, garnishment, or other legal process, or to the operation of any bankruptcy or insolvency law.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 24, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 24 - Confidential nature of records

The Division shall establish and enforce reasonable rules and regulations governing the custody, use, and preservation of the documents, records, papers, files and communications concerning public welfare. The use of such documents, records, papers, files, and communications by any other government agency or department to which they may be furnished, shall be limited exclusively to the purposes for which they are furnished. It is hereby prohibited, except for purposes directly connected with the administration of public welfare and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Division, that any person solicit, receive, make use of, disclose, authorize, knowingly permit, participate in, or acquiesce in the use of any list, or any names of, or information concerning persons applying for or receiving public welfare services, directly or indirectly derived from the documents, records, papers, files, or communications of the Division or any other agency or department. The violators of this provision shall be subject to the penalties established in § 21 of this title.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 25; May 7, 1948, No. 106, p. 246, § 1; Apr. 30, 1956, No. 12, p. 34.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 25 - Limitations by other acts

All assistance granted under the provisions of §§ 1–26 of this title shall be deemed to be granted under, and to be subject to, the provisions of any other act that may hereafter be approved, and no recipient shall have any claim for compensation by reason of his/her assistance being in any way affected by any other act that may hereafter be approved.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 26, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 26 - Funds

There is hereby established in the Treasury of Puerto Rico a special fund which shall be known as “Public Welfare Fund—Trust Fund” and which shall be used to carry out the purposes of §§ 1–26 of this title.
The Public Welfare Fund shall consist of:
(a) Appropriations made in the General Appropriations Act or in special laws.
(b) Excise taxes, taxes, or imposts specifically devoted to meet the obligations of public assistance to which §§ 1–26 of this title refer.
(c) Funds for public assistance activities which may be assigned, donated, returned or otherwise placed at the disposal of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico by the Government of the United States of America, or by any agency, instrumentality or dependency thereof.
(d) Any other funds derived from sources of revenue that are not specified in subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this section, which may be used for public assistance.
The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized and directed to transfer to the Public Welfare Fund hereby created all the sums credited to the appropriations or covered [by] the funds mentioned in this section; Provided, That from and after the first day of July 1945 all excise taxes, taxes or imposts specifically devoted to meet the obligations of public assistance to which §§ 1–26 of this title refer, shall be covered into the general funds of the Commonwealth treasury; And provided, further, That any unexpended funds remaining on July 1, 1945, in the Public Welfare Fund—Trust Fund, created by §§ 1–26 of this title, shall be transferred to the general funds of the Commonwealth treasury; and Provided, further, That when all the existing obligations against the Public Welfare Fund—Trust Fund, have been liquidated, the said fund shall cease to exist on July 1, 1945, and shall be completely eliminated.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 95, p. 236, § 27; May 15, 1945, No. 294, p. 1124, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 27 - Physicians for municipal charities, contracts for services

(a) The sum of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) is hereby appropriated from unencumbered general funds for the contracting of physicians who shall render services in the municipal charities. The Governor of Puerto Rico is hereby authorized to contract for the services of such physicians.
(b) The Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico shall place at the disposal of the Governor of Puerto Rico, for the contracting of said physicians, the sum appropriated by this section, in addition to the unencumbered balances that may remain as of June 30, 1953, in the appropriation provided for these purposes by Act No. 25 of August 21, 1948.
(c) The Governor of Puerto Rico, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and the Secretary of the Treasury, shall distribute the physicians so contracted among the municipalities most in need of their services.
History —June 10, 1953, No. 47, p. 114, §§ 1—3, eff. July 1, 1953.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 1 - Division of Public Welfare (§§ 1 — 28) › § 28 - Articles made by the blind

The Division of Public Welfare of the Department of the Family is hereby authorized to permit the blind covered by the Program of Home Teaching Classes to retain for themselves the articles they have made from the raw material provided to them in the classes for such purpose. The blind shall not receive any compensation for those articles and they may dispose of them in the manner they deem most convenient.
History —May 31, 1967, No. 91, p. 306.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 2 - Act for the Creation of Child Day Care Centers (§§ 36 — 44) › § 36 - Obligation

Every department, agency and public corporation or instrumentality of the Government of Puerto Rico shall be under the obligation to set aside within its facilities or at a reasonable distance therefrom, a suitably fitted out area to be operated as a day care center to be devoted to the care of pre-school age children; Provided, That these centers shall be exclusively available to the officials and employees of said public entities.
History —Mar. 3, 1999, No. 84, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 2 - Act for the Creation of Child Day Care Centers (§§ 36 — 44) › § 37 - Description

A day care center shall be deemed to be an area designated within the physical facilities of, or at a reasonable distance from, the place of work of the user of said services, that has been suitably fitted out and accredited by the pertinent authorities for the care of preschool age children.
History —Mar. 3, 1999, No. 84, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 2 - Act for the Creation of Child Day Care Centers (§§ 36 — 44) › § 38 - Right of use

All officials or employees of the pertinent departments, agencies, public corporations or instrumentalities of the Government of Puerto Rico shall be entitled to avail themselves of the services provided by said day care centers.
History —Mar. 3, 1999, No. 84, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 2 - Act for the Creation of Child Day Care Centers (§§ 36 — 44) › § 39 - Director

For the purposes of this chapter, the term Director shall be deemed to be the secretary, director or highest ranking executive officer of the pertinent department, agency, public corporation or instrumentality.
History —Mar. 3, 1999, No. 84, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 2 - Act for the Creation of Child Day Care Centers (§§ 36 — 44) › § 40 - Regulations

The Director of the Department, his/her secretary or highest ranking executive officer of the corresponding agency, public corporation or instrumentality, is hereby empowered to adopt those rules and regulations deemed pertinent and necessary to achieve the proper planning, direction and supervision of the centers created by this chapter, provided said regulations are compatible with those already adopted for similar purposes by the Department of the Family or the Department of Education, as the case may be.
History —Mar. 3, 1999, No. 84, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 2 - Act for the Creation of Child Day Care Centers (§§ 36 — 44) › § 41 - Facilities and schedule

With regard to the creation and operation of these centers, the Director is hereby empowered to use the physical facilities under his/her official control to locate the corresponding day care center and establish the most convenient schedule according to the needs and main activities of his/her government dependency.
History —Mar. 3, 1999, No. 84, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 2 - Act for the Creation of Child Day Care Centers (§§ 36 — 44) › § 42 - Fee for upkeep

Those who avail themselves of the services of the center shall contribute financially to its proper upkeep; Provided, That the Director shall determine what is to be a reasonable fee for the use of said facilities and services.
History —Mar. 3, 1999, No. 84, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 2 - Act for the Creation of Child Day Care Centers (§§ 36 — 44) › § 43 - Funds

The Director is hereby authorized to take all pertinent steps with the Families and Children Administration, a government entity that pursuant to Reorganization Plan No. 12 of 1995, administers the funds received by the Government of Puerto Rico under the “Child Care and Development Block Grant Act (PL 101-508)”, to enforce this chapter.
History —Mar. 3, 1999, No. 84, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 2 - Act for the Creation of Child Day Care Centers (§§ 36 — 44) › § 43a - Consortiums

The Director of the Department, the Secretary or the highest ranking executive of the corresponding agency, public corporation or instrumentality to execute contracts and establish consortiums with other government agencies as well as with private entities that provide day care services, provided said contracts are compatible with what is established in this chapter, as well as in the Commonwealth and federal regulations in effect for similar programs.
History —Mar. 3, 1999, No. 84, added as § 10 on Aug. 25, 2005, No. 67, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 2 - Act for the Creation of Child Day Care Centers (§§ 36 — 44) › § 44 - Personnel; testing for use of controlled substances, and other obligations

The personnel working at these centers shall submit to tests for detecting the use of controlled substances and shall be bound to provide any record of domestic violence or child abuse to the Personnel Office.
History —Mar. 3, 1999, No. 84, § 10, renumbered as § 11 on Aug. 25, 2005, No. 67, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 2A - Development of Day Care Centers in Public Housing (§§ 45 — 45a) › § 45 - Pilot project

The Public Housing Department is hereby authorized to establish a pilot project in currently existing public housing projects in which the most need for these services is identified. The Department of the Family shall join these efforts for the establishment of the proper norms and procedures to govern these services. Likewise, the Public Housing Administration shall establish the mechanisms to be adopted by the administrator agents of public housing projects for the development of these services and to promote the microentrepreneurial organization of these services of which the residents themselves shall be in charge of [sic].
History —Aug. 21, 2003, No. 197, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 2A - Development of Day Care Centers in Public Housing (§§ 45 — 45a) › § 45a - Regulation

The Public Housing Administration shall prepare a regulation to establish the norms and operational parameters of this program, consistent with all the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the federal government.
History —Aug. 21, 2003, No. 197, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 2B - Establishment of Day Care Centers for Preschool Children (§§ 46 — 46h) › § 46 - Obligation

As from July 1, 2004, in all new construction of public housing complexes where public funds are used, whether state and/or federal, an area shall be designated within the physical premises for a day care center for preschool children, as long as there is strict compliance with the applicable federal regulations enacted by the federal department of Housing and Urban Development, known by its English acronym HUD.
History —Sept. 27, 2003, No. 283, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 2B - Establishment of Day Care Centers for Preschool Children (§§ 46 — 46h) › § 46a - Description

Day care center for preschool children.— Shall mean the area designated within the premises of the housing complex. The surface to be used shall depend on the needs of the population to be served in the day care center.
History —Sept. 27, 2003, No. 283, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 2B - Establishment of Day Care Centers for Preschool Children (§§ 46 — 46h) › § 46b - Right to use

Any child of preschool age, whose parents, or relative(s) with legal custody over the former, who cannot look after the child because of work and/or study reasons, have the right to use the day care center. Additionally, the child as well as the parent(s), or relative(s) with legal custody over the former must be bona fide residents in the housing complex where the day care center in question is located.
For the purposes of this section, the parent(s), or relative(s) mentioned in the paragraph above must show conclusive evidence proving that they meet the qualification requirements for the right to use the services of the day care center for their children, or relative(s) of preschool age under their legal custody.
The parent(s) or relative(s) with legal custody who use the services of the day care center for the children shall contribute economically to the improvement of the daycare center; it is hereby established that the director shall determine the reasonable payment for the use of such facilities and services, taking into account the economic resources available to the parent(s), or relative(s) with legal custody of the children who shall use the daycare center. The parents or relatives with legal custody who prove that they have limited financial resources shall not have to incur in any cost for the services provided.
History —Sept. 27, 2003, No. 283, § 4.