reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 70 - Office of the Advocate for Patients Beneficiaries (§§ 1981 — 1991) › § 1981 - Definitions

(a) Insurer. — Means any person or entity that assumes a contractual risk in consideration of or exchange for the payment of a premium, duly authorized by the Insurance Commissioner to do business as such in Puerto Rico.
(b) Commissioner. — Refers to the Commissioner of Insurance of Puerto Rico.
(c) Department. — Means the Department of Health of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(d) Insuring entity. — Refers to a health services organization authorized pursuant to §§ 1901—1927 of Title 26, or an insurer authorized to contract insurance as defined in § 403 of Title 26, as well as any nonprofit mutual aid or assistance partnership or association founded in Puerto Rico before April 11, 1899.
(e) Health or medical-hospital facilities. — Means those facilities identified and defined as such in §§ 331 et seq. of Title 24, known as the “Puerto Rico Facilities Act”, or the provisions of any future legislation on said matter.
(f) Patient. — Refers to a person who is or shall receive health treatment, whether for a physical or mental condition, and consults or submits to examination by a health professional to obtain information in order to remain healthy, obtain a diagnosis of his/her health condition or health treatment for an illness or injury, including preventive diagnosis or treatment for the early detection of possible illnesses or complications of already diagnosed illnesses, and to extend his/her life and improve the quality of life of those who are already compromised, regardless of whether or not they are subscribers or beneficiaries of a public or private health plan.
(g) Premium. — Means the remuneration paid to an insurer for assuming a risk through an insurance contract.
(h) Advocate. — Means the Advocate for Patients Beneficiaries of the Health Reform.
(i) Provider. — Means any person or entity authorized by the laws of Puerto Rico to render or provide medical-hospital health care services in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(j) Secretary. — Means the Secretary of the Department of Health of Puerto Rico.
History —Apr. 11, 2001, No. 11, § 2; Dec. 26, 2006, No. 305, § 1, eff. 180 days after Dec. 26, 2006.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 70 - Office of the Advocate for Patients Beneficiaries (§§ 1981 — 1991) › § 1982 - Creation

The Office of the Advocate for Patients Beneficiaries of the Health Reform, hereinafter the Office, is hereby created, as an independent juridical entity and separate from any other public agency or entity, with the responsibility of ensuring to the patients beneficiaries of the Health Reform compliance with the Bill of Rights and Responsibilities of the Patient established by §§ 3041 et seq. of Title 24, and coordinating, handling, and solving the problems, needs, and claims of said insured patients, users and consumers of medical-hospital health services in Puerto Rico. In order to comply with these purposes, the Office shall oversee compliance with the following rights and obligations as set forth in §§ 3041 et seq. of Title 24:
(a) The right to high quality health services.
(b) The right to obtain information and to its disclosure.
(c) The right to select plans and providers.
(d) The right to continued health care services.
(e) The right to have access to emergency services and facilities.
(f) The right to participate in treatment decision-making processes.
(g) The right to confidentiality of information and medical records.
(h) The right to be respected and receive equal treatment.
(i) The right to file complaints and grievances.
(j) The duties and responsibilities of patients-beneficiaries of the Health Reform for the responsible use of health services.
History —Apr. 11, 2001, No. 11, § 3; Sept. 3, 2004, No. 248, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 70 - Office of the Advocate for Patients Beneficiaries (§§ 1981 — 1991) › § 1983 - Functions and duties

In order to comply with the provisions of this chapter, the Office of the Advocate for Patients Beneficiaries of the Health Reform shall have the following duties and functions:
(a) Guarantee medical care accessibility.
(b) Serve as facilitator so that medical services be available to every patient-beneficiary of the Health Reform in a more effective manner.
(c) Ensure that the medical services offered are of the highest quality and based on the needs of the patient, and guarantee that in rendering said services patients be treated with human dignity, fairness, and respect.
(d) Identify the most suitable means for responsibly and expeditiously handling the problems and complaints of the patients-beneficiaries of the Health Reform, pursuant to the regulations provided in § 1989 of this title. All these functions shall be interactive and must be carried out within a plan that guarantees the responsible use of the health services by patients as well as by all services providers and insurance companies.
History —Apr. 11, 2001, No. 11, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 70 - Office of the Advocate for Patients Beneficiaries (§§ 1981 — 1991) › § 1986 - Complaints—Notification

Every complaint filed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be handled as provided by regulations. The Advocate shall notify the complainant of his decision to investigate the facts alleged in a complaint not later than the fifteen (15) days following the date it has been filed. The Advocate shall also notify, within said term and when pertinent, his decision not to investigate the complaint in question, stating the reasons for so doing, and notify the complainant of his right to request reconsideration. In those cases in which the Advocate decides to investigate the complaint, he shall, on the same date in which the complainant is notified, inform said decision to the public agency or private entity against which the complaint is filed, as the case may be, with a statement of the facts alleged in the complaint and citing the law that empowers him to conduct said investigation.
History —Apr. 11, 2001, No. 11, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 70 - Office of the Advocate for Patients Beneficiaries (§§ 1981 — 1991) › § 1987 - Complaints—Investigation

Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, the Advocate shall not investigate those complaints when in his judgment, the following has been determined:
(a) The complaint refers to a matter outside the scope of his jurisdiction.
(b) The complaint is frivolous or has been filed in bad faith.
(c) The complainant voluntarily desists of pursuing the processing of the complaint filed.
(d) The complainant is unfit to file a complaint.
(e) The complaint is under investigation by another agency and, in the judgment of the Advocate, it would result in a duplication of efforts.
In those cases in which the complaint filed by the patient, his parents or guardian does not involve any controversy that can be adjudicated or that refers to a matter outside the scope of jurisdiction of the Office, the Advocate shall refer the same to the pertinent agency and shall oversee its resolution in compliance with the provisions of the Bill of Rights and Responsibilities of the Patient, the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any other applicable laws.
The Advocate, on his own initiative, may conduct the investigations deemed pertinent, provided that in his judgment there are sufficient grounds for conducting an investigation pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
History —Apr. 11, 2001, No. 11, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 70 - Office of the Advocate for Patients Beneficiaries (§§ 1981 — 1991) › § 1988 - Reconsideration and judicial review

Any party adversely affected by a decision, determination, order or resolution of the Advocate, issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and of any other law under his jurisdiction, may request reconsideration and a judicial review, pursuant to the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of this title, known as the “Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Uniform Administrative Procedures Act.”
History —Apr. 11, 2001, No. 11, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 70 - Office of the Advocate for Patients Beneficiaries (§§ 1981 — 1991) › § 1989 - Regulations

The Advocate is hereby directed to adopt the regulations necessary for the internal operation of the Office and for the implementation of the provisions of this chapter. The procedures for filing, processing and investigating complaints shall be governed, whenever applicable and in matters not provided for in this chapter, by the regulations to be adopted to such effect, pursuant to the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of this title, known as the “Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Uniform Administrative Procedures Act”.
History —Apr. 11, 2001, No. 11, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 70 - Office of the Advocate for Patients Beneficiaries (§§ 1981 — 1991) › § 1990 - Administrative fines

The Advocate is hereby empowered to impose administrative fines for violations of the provisions of this chapter, after notice and hearing, in accordance with and up to the sums provided in §§ 2101 et seq. of this title, known as the “Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Uniform Administrative Procedures Act”.
However, any person who willfully and maliciously prevents or hinders the exercise of the functions of the Advocate, or of the personnel of his office, or who knowingly furnishes false information, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be sanctioned with a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000).
When the prevention or hindering action referred to in the preceding paragraph is carried out with intimidation, force or violence, said action shall constitute a felony and upon conviction thereof, the person shall be subject to the penalty of imprisonment for a fixed term of not more than five (5) years and not less than six (6) months and one (1) day, or to the penalty of a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) and not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both penalties at the discretion of the court.
History —Apr. 11, 2001, No. 11, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 70 - Office of the Advocate for Patients Beneficiaries (§§ 1981 — 1991) › § 1991 - Jurisdiction

As of April 1, 2005, the jurisdiction of the Advocate shall be universally extended to cover all patients in Puerto Rico.
History —Apr. 11, 2001, No. 11, § 13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 72 - Regulatory Board for Reeducation and Retraining of Assailants (§§ 2013 — 2026) › § 2013 - Establishment; composition; terms

The Governor of Puerto Rico, with the advice and consent of the Senate of Puerto Rico, shall designate a Regulating Board, (hereinafter “the Board”), to regulate and follow-up the reeducation and retraining programs under § 636 of Title 8, part of “Domestic Abuse Prevention and Intervention Act”.
The Board shall consist of seven (7) members designated by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate of Puerto Rico. Of the seven (7) members designated by the Governor, one shall be a representative of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, a representative of the Department of the Family, the Women’s Advocate, one (1) clinical psychologist with preparation or experience in the area of domestic violence, one (1) representative of the Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration (ASSMCA, in Spanish), a social worker with experience in the area of domestic violence, and an attorney with experience and knowledge in the area of domestic violence.
The terms for the first incumbents shall be as follows: one (1) designation of two (2) years, two (2) designations of (3) years, two (2) for four (4) years and two (2) for five (5) years. Their successors shall be designated for terms of five (5) years each.
In all cases, the persons designated shall be in office until their successors are designated and take possession of their charges, and the Board itself shall elect from among its members a chairperson, a secretary, and any other official deemed necessary; Provided, That if a vacancy occurs in the Board before the expiration of the term of any of the members, the person designated to hold said office shall fill the position for the remainder of that term. The president shall designate, as set forth by regulation adopted for such purposes, the necessary committees to perform the duties of the Board.
History —Dec. 28, 2000, No. 449, § 2; Sept. 3, 2003, No. 240, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 72 - Regulatory Board for Reeducation and Retraining of Assailants (§§ 2013 — 2026) › § 2014 - Remand for members

The Governor of Puerto Rico may remove any member of the Board for negligence in the performance of his/her duties, or for having been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that involves moral turpitude or any violation of the provisions of the “Domestic Abuse Prevention and Intervention Act”, §§ 601 et seq. of Title 8.
History —Dec. 28, 2000, No. 449, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 72 - Regulatory Board for Reeducation and Retraining of Assailants (§§ 2013 — 2026) › § 2015 - Meetings

The Board shall hold regular monthly meetings to attend to official matters and may hold all the special meetings that are needed for the best performance of its duties. Five (5) Board members shall constitute quorum and the decisions shall be made by the majority of the members present; Provided, That at the time of voting, its quorum shall be verified.
Board members who hold office as secretaries or heads of agency may confer onto the undersecretary or deputy director of the agency the authority to represent him/her and make decisions at regular and special Board meetings.
History —Dec. 28, 2000, No. 449, § 4; Aug. 13, 2008, No. 270, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 72 - Regulatory Board for Reeducation and Retraining of Assailants (§§ 2013 — 2026) › § 2016 - Individual administrator

The Board shall constitute an individual administrator for the purposes of Act No. 5 of October 14, 1975, known as the “Puerto Rico Public Service Personnel Act”. The office may acquire by purchase or gratuitously the equipment, materials and services needed to comply with the provisions of this chapter, and shall be exempted from the provisions and norms of §§ 931 et seq. of this title, known as the “General Services Administration Organic Act”.
History —Dec. 28, 2000, No. 449, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 72 - Regulatory Board for Reeducation and Retraining of Assailants (§§ 2013 — 2026) › § 2017 - Duties

The Board shall be in charge of evaluating Reeducation and Retraining Programs with the purpose of granting permits, licenses, certifications, and to monitor and review [sic] reeducation and retraining programs set forth for any public or private entity in §§ 601 et seq. of Title 8, known as the “Domestic Abuse Prevention and Intervention Act”.
As part of its power to certify, the Board may request that the institution furnish any such information and/or documents as it may deem pertinent, including participant rosters as well as evidence attesting that participants appeared before the court and successfully completed the reeducation and retraining process. The Board may likewise visit and inspect Program facilities. The Board shall establish constant monitoring over institutions and their diversion programs to assure the quality and effectiveness of the services rendered. The Board may request the aid of the court with competence to enforce its powers and prerogatives over these institutions. Provided, That the Board shall establish constant monitoring over the institutions and their diversion programs to [ensure] the quality and effectiveness of the services rendered.
History —Dec. 28, 2000, No. 449, § 6; Aug. 13, 2008, No. 270, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 72 - Regulatory Board for Reeducation and Retraining of Assailants (§§ 2013 — 2026) › § 2018 - Bylaws and guidelines

The Board, by means of the adoption of bylaws and guidelines prepared by the Office of the Women’s Advocate, as set forth in § 651 of Title 8, shall establish the minimum requirements necessary for the operation of such Programs and [shall] amend such guidelines and regulations when the Board so determines. The Board shall modify its bylaws and guidelines in order for these to conform to the new provisions of § 2017 of this title.
The Board shall have the power to deny, suspend, cancel or revoke any license, permit or certification issued to an entity for the operation of such Program if the same does not meet the requirements set forth in the bylaws and procedural guidelines.
History —Dec. 28, 2000, No. 449, § 7; Sept. 3, 2003, No. 240, § 2; Aug. 13, 2008, No. 270, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 72 - Regulatory Board for Reeducation and Retraining of Assailants (§§ 2013 — 2026) › § 2019 - Mechanisms for the exchange of information

The Board shall establish the procedures and mechanisms for the exchange of information with other jurisdictions regarding licenses, permits or certifications to operate reeducation and retraining programs through the diversion process, that have been suspended or revoked.
History —Dec. 28, 2000, No. 449, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 72 - Regulatory Board for Reeducation and Retraining of Assailants (§§ 2013 — 2026) › § 2020 - Administration

The Office shall [be] administered and supervised by an Executive Director, secretarial, clerical and professional personnel to be appointed by the Board. The Board may contract the services of experts/specialists/advisors that it deems pertinent to comply with the tasks imposed by the Domestic Abuse Prevention and Intervention Act, §§ 601 et seq. of Title 8 [and in this chapter].
The Executive Director shall serve at the will of the Board and shall perform the duties and powers conferred to him/her by the regulations of the Board.
History —Dec. 28, 2000, No. 449, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 72 - Regulatory Board for Reeducation and Retraining of Assailants (§§ 2013 — 2026) › § 2021 - Annual report

The Board shall submit an annual report to the Governor of Puerto Rico evidencing the work performed and its recommendations, giving an account of the number of petitions received, licenses and certifications issued, the accounts of expenses and income; accounts of per diems reimbursed to the Board members; as well as any other data that the Governor requests, or, that in the judgment of the Board, is pertinent to be submitted.
History —Dec. 28, 2000, No. 449, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 72 - Regulatory Board for Reeducation and Retraining of Assailants (§§ 2013 — 2026) › § 2022 - Per diems

The members of the Board shall receive per diems equal to the minimum per diem established for the members of the Legislature, up to a maximum of three thousand dollars ($3,000) a year, with the exception of the Chairperson of the Board, who shall receive a per diem equal to one hundred thirty-three percent (133%) of the per diem received by the other members of the Board. All members shall also be reimbursed for the expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties that are authorized through the regulations to be adopted, pursuant to the norms established by the Secretary of the Treasury.
History —Dec. 28, 2000, No. 449, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 72 - Regulatory Board for Reeducation and Retraining of Assailants (§§ 2013 — 2026) › § 2023 - Licenses—Investigations, denials, suspensions and renewals

The Board, on its own initiative or by virtue of a duly grounded complaint or grievance of [a] natural person, may, at any time, conduct an investigation to renew, cancel, or deny a license, permit or certification.
History —Dec. 28, 2000, No. 449, § 12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 72 - Regulatory Board for Reeducation and Retraining of Assailants (§§ 2013 — 2026) › § 2024 - Licenses—Denial; conditions

The Board may deny a license, permit or certification to operate a diversion program to any person or entity that:
(a) Attempts to obtain it through deceit or fraud.
(b) Does not meet the requirements established in the regulations adopted by the Board.
History —Dec. 28, 2000, No. 449, § 13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 72 - Regulatory Board for Reeducation and Retraining of Assailants (§§ 2013 — 2026) › § 2025 - Licenses—Suspension; reasons

The Board may suspend, cancel or revoke a license for the following reasons:
(a) Alteration or forging of any document or material with the malicious intent to deceive or defraud the members of the Board.
(b) Negotiate or offer to sell a license to operate a diversion program or center issued by the Board.
(c) Successively suspend a license, permit or certification when one of the reasons set forth in this section for its cancelling or revoking occurs, and when the damage that could be caused is of such magnitude that would justify it.
The Board shall establish in its regulations the measures needed to handle the claims of the persons or entities whose license, permit or certification has been denied, suspended [or] cancelled. Said regulations shall be drafted pursuant to the provisions of the §§ 2101 et seq. of this title, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedures Act”.
History —Dec. 28, 2000, No. 449, § 14.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 72 - Regulatory Board for Reeducation and Retraining of Assailants (§§ 2013 — 2026) › § 2026 - Certifications or licenses renewable every three (3) years

The Board shall establish the requirements and mechanisms needed for the recertification every three (3) years of centers or entities offering reeducation and retraining programs pursuant to §§ 601 et seq. of Title 8, known as the “Domestic Abuse Prevention and Intervention Act”.
History —Dec. 28, 2000, No. 449, § 15.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 73 - Public Employees Charitable Campaign Act (§§ 2051 — 2063) › § 2051 - Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms or phrases shall have the meaning set forth below:
(a) Agency. — Shall mean every department, office, bureau, administration, board, committee, company, dependency, public corporation and subsidiaries thereof, instrumentality and municipality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, including the Legislative Branch and the Judicial Branch.
(b) Council. — Shall mean the Public Employees Charitable Campaign Regulation Council to be designated pursuant to § 2057 of this title.
(c) Public employee. — Shall mean every officer or employee of an agency, whether regular, transitory or under any other kind of appointment or contract, exempted or subject to the personnel provisions applicable to the agency in which he works.
(d) Designated entity. — Shall mean any nonprofit organization that does not render direct services to the public on which the responsibility of coordinating the Charitable Campaign that is authorized in this chapter is delegated, among others, with the assistance and collaboration of public employees, and distributing the donations made by public employees to favored charitable institutions, and that the members of its Board of Directors or Trustees are not, at the same time, officials of any of the charitable institutions that are benefited by the wage deduction system provided in this chapter through said designated entity.
(e) Federation of charitable institutions. — Shall mean every organization of charitable institutions organized as or associated in a single entity for the purpose of raising the funds needed for the operation thereof or rendering other services common to all.
(f) Charitable institution. — Shall mean any nonprofit entity, partnership, association or group duly registered in the Department of State that is devoted to the direct rendering of health, social welfare, recreational, rehabilitation, reeducation or reorientation services to persons with mental or physical developmental deficiencies, drug addicts or alcoholics, or to the prevention or treatment of diseases, and that renders services for free or at cost or less than cost or, if higher, that the total gain be invested to extend its services or to further develop and improve its physical structure or facilities.
History —Aug. 11, 1988, No. 168, § 2, eff. July 1, 1989.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 73 - Public Employees Charitable Campaign Act (§§ 2051 — 2063) › § 2052 - Voluntary authorization for payroll deduction

Any public employee by his/her own free will may authorize that a specific sum be deducted from his/her salary to donate it to certain charitable institutions of Puerto Rico. For such purposes, the public employee must fill out and submit to the personnel unit, division, or department of his/her respective agency a salary deduction authorization form in the original and a copy, in which the following shall be specified under his/her signature:
(a) The amount to be deducted from his/her salary in each payroll period.
(b) The charitable institutions to which he/she will make the donation, indicating the amount he/she shall donate to each one of them.
The maximum amount that a public employee may authorize to be deducted from his/her salary for these purposes shall be one percent (1%) of his/her annual gross salary. In no case may the agency deduct the total payroll deductions authorized by the public employee in the same payroll period and it must prorate it based on the total number of payroll periods that each fiscal year is divided into. The agency for which the public employee renders services shall be responsible for remitting to the designated entity a copy of the salary deduction authorization form that said employee has submitted to it.
The amount deducted from the employee’s salary for his authorized donation shall be accounted for with absolute clarity in the payroll of the agency in which the public employee works, and in the salary voucher or payment stub provided to him.
History —Aug. 11, 1988, No. 168, § 3, eff. July 1, 1989.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 73 - Public Employees Charitable Campaign Act (§§ 2051 — 2063) › § 2053 - Voluntary authorization for payroll deduction—Revocation or modification

Any public employee who authorizes a salary deduction pursuant to this chapter may revoke or modify said authorization at any time through written notice, in the original and a copy, which must be submitted to the personnel unit, division or department of the agency in which he works at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date on which he wishes to make his revocation or modification effective.
The agency where the public employee renders services shall be responsible for sending a copy of the notification to the selected designated entity, pursuant to § 2057 of this title.
History —Aug. 11, 1988, No. 168, § 4, eff. July 1, 1989.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 73 - Public Employees Charitable Campaign Act (§§ 2051 — 2063) › § 2054 - Remission of donation

Every amount deducted from any public employee’s salary pursuant to the provisions of this chapter must be remitted by the agency in which the public employee renders services, or by the Department of the Treasury in the cases of those agencies whose payrolls are prepared and processed by the Secretary of the Treasury to the selected designated entity, pursuant to § 2057 of this title, together with a list or magnetic tape containing the names of the employees from whom the salary deduction was made, as well as the amount deducted. The agencies or the Department of the Treasury, as the case may be, shall remit to the designated entity the amounts deducted from the public employees’ salaries, together with the list or magnetic tape, no later than the first fifteen (15) days of the month following the month in which the salary deduction was made.
The designated entity shall be directly responsible for distributing the amounts it receives among the charitable institutions for which public employees have authorized a donation, in the same proportion or amount they authorize, and taking as a basis the copy of the salary deduction authorization form of each public employee remitted by the agencies for which they render services. Said designated entity shall remit the amounts corresponding to each charitable institution chosen by public employees, no later than fifteen (15) days following the date they are received.
History —Aug. 11, 1988, No. 168, § 5, eff. July 1, 1989.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 73 - Public Employees Charitable Campaign Act (§§ 2051 — 2063) › § 2055 - Charitable campaign

The annual celebration of a “Public Employees Charitable Campaign” is hereby authorized to collect funds among public officials and employees. Said campaign shall be the only one, except in emergency situations, to be held in agencies of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Said campaign shall be coordinated and carried out in such a manner that public employees will not be induced to prefer a federation of charitable institutions or a specific charitable institution. Campaigns shall be regulated by a Regulations Council composed of the Secretary of the Treasury, who shall preside [over] it, and by the Secretaries of the Departments of Education and Social Services, the Administrator of the Central Office of Personnel Administration, or their authorized representatives, two (2) mayors appointed by the Governor of Puerto Rico and three (3) representatives of the public employees designated by the Board of Directors of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Employees Association, from among the members of said Board, one (1) representative of the Legislature designated by the Presidents of both Houses and one (1) representative of the Judiciary Branch designated by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The Council shall be attached to the Department of the Treasury, who must provide office facilities, personnel and supplies for the performance of its duties and responsibilities.
History —Aug. 11, 1988, No. 168, § 6, eff. July 1, 1989.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 73 - Public Employees Charitable Campaign Act (§§ 2051 — 2063) › § 2056 - Regulations

The Regulation Council must adopt, after public hearings have been held, those rules and regulations needed to carry out the Public Employees Charitable Campaign. Said regulations shall contain without limitation:
(a) The standards to be observed in every campaign for the collection of funds, so as to ensure that no coercion, intimidation or threat shall be used on public employees to authorize deductions from their salaries to be donated to charitable institutions or for them to take part or collaborate in any way with said campaign.
(b) The salary deduction authorization form that public employees shall voluntarily fill out.
(c) The term during which the campaign will be conducted.
(d) The minimum information or orientation that will be offered to public employees with regard to said campaign.
(e) The conditions that must be complied with by the charitable entities that avail themselves of the benefits of the salary deduction system provided in this chapter.
(f) The requirements and conditions that must be complied with by any designated entity, to coordinate and conduct the Public Employees Charitable Campaign and to mediate in the distribution and remitting of the funds collected by virtue of the salary deduction system provided in this chapter.
Said regulations shall be filed with the Secretary of each House of the Legislature and shall be submitted to the Committees on Government of each House which shall have a term of not more than thirty (30) days to ratify it, reject it, or require the Regulations Committee to incorporate the amendments or modifications that said Committees agree upon. If said Committees do not act on the regulations within said term, the same shall be understood as ratified by the Legislature. Once this procedure has been complied with, the regulations of the Public Employees Charitable Campaign shall not take effect until all employees are notified of its adoption by the means the Council may deem best.
History —Aug. 11, 1988, No. 168, § 7, eff. July 1, 1989.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 73 - Public Employees Charitable Campaign Act (§§ 2051 — 2063) › § 2057 - Designated entity

In order to reduce to a minimum the activities to request donations in the public employees workplace the Regulations Council, with the approval of the Governor of Puerto Rico and after an agreement to such effects, may delegate the administration of the Public Employees Charitable Campaign to a designated entity to coordinate all the information work in the agencies and to act as intermediary for the distribution and remitting of the funds collected by virtue of this chapter. In such case, the designated entity must exercise the delegated responsibility pursuant to the regulations adopted by the Council and must comply with the requirements established in § 2059 of this title in addition to any others that may be established by regulations.
History —Aug. 11, 1988, No. 168, § 8, eff. July 1, 1989.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 73 - Public Employees Charitable Campaign Act (§§ 2051 — 2063) › § 2058 - Designated entity—Obligations

Any entity designated pursuant to § 2057 of this title shall submit to the Secretary of the Treasury a monthly report in which the amount received from each agency and the amount remitted to each charitable institution must be stated in detail, as well as the date of such remittance. The designated entity shall remit to each charitable institution its corresponding funds within thirty (30) days following their date of receipt.
It shall, likewise, file an annual report of all funds received and delivered to the charitable institutions no later than fifteen (15) days following the close of each fiscal year. The Council shall establish by regulations the manner in which each report must be prepared, as well as what shall be stated or informed therein. As soon as the Council approves the annual report that is required in this section, the designated entity shall publish it in at least one newspaper of general circulation in order to notify all public employees of the distribution of the donations they have made, according to the norms that the Council may establish by regulations.
The designated entity shall conduct an annual audit of its accounts with independent auditors, a copy of which shall be remitted to the Regulations Council within fifteen (15) days following the date it is received.
History —Aug. 11, 1988, No. 168, § 9, eff. July 1, 1989.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 73 - Public Employees Charitable Campaign Act (§§ 2051 — 2063) › § 2059 - Requirements for charitable institutions

Any charitable institution that wishes to collect funds through the Public Employees Charitable Campaign authorized by this chapter shall submit attesting evidence to the Council of:
(1) Its corresponding certificate of registration in the Department of State as a charitable institution.
(2) The license or permit duly issued by the corresponding agency to operate or render those services in which it is engaged.
(3) The regulations governing the rendering of its services and its functioning or operation, duly sworn as correct before a notary public by the Executive Director or President of the charitable institution concerned.
They shall likewise keep a full and detailed account of the funds they receive by virtue of the provisions of this chapter in accordance with the generally accepted public accounting practices, and file an annual report certified by a licensed public accountant before the Secretary of the Treasury.
History —Aug. 11, 1988, No. 168, § 10, eff. July 1, 1989.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 73 - Public Employees Charitable Campaign Act (§§ 2051 — 2063) › § 2060 - Inspection and audit of accounts

The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby empowered to inspect, examine and audit the operations and financial statements of the designated entities and of the charitable institutions that receive donations from public employees by virtue of the provisions of this chapter whenever said official may deem it necessary.
History —Aug. 11, 1988, No. 168, § 11, eff. July 1, 1989.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 73 - Public Employees Charitable Campaign Act (§§ 2051 — 2063) › § 2061 - Prohibitions

No public employee may be sanctioned in any way whatsoever nor discharged or dismissed from his employment for refusing to have any amount deducted from his salary to be donated to a charitable institution or for refusing to collaborate, cooperate or contribute in any way or manner whatsoever with the Public Employees Charitable Campaign authorized in § 2055 of this title.
No chief executive, director, nor supervisor of any agency may, by himself or through any other person, threaten, coerce or intimidate a public employee to force him to authorize that any amount be deducted from his salary to donate it to a charitable institution.
No other public employee, official or director of an association or group of employees may, directly or indirectly, threaten, coerce or intimidate a public employee so that the latter will authorize that any amount be deducted from his salary to be donated to a charitable institution or to in any way participate, collaborate or contribute with the Public Employee Charitable Campaign.
History —Aug. 11, 1988, No. 168, § 12, eff. July 1, 1989.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 73 - Public Employees Charitable Campaign Act (§§ 2051 — 2063) › § 2062 - Sanctions against charitable institutions

Any charitable institution or federation of charitable institutions that violates any provision of this chapter or of the regulations adopted by virtue thereof shall be barred from availing itself of the benefits of the payroll deduction system that is established in this chapter. The violation of the provisions of this chapter or of its regulations by any designated entity or the failure to comply with any obligation imposed by said regulations, or omitting to render any report required under this chapter shall likewise constitute sufficient cause for the cancellation of the agreement by virtue of which it has been designated as an intermediary for the distribution and remittance of the funds collected by virtue of this chapter.
History —Aug. 11, 1988, No. 168, § 13, eff. July 1, 1989.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 73 - Public Employees Charitable Campaign Act (§§ 2051 — 2063) › § 2063 - Penalties

Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter or of the regulations adopted by virtue thereof shall incur a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be sanctioned by imprisonment for a term of not more than six (6) months or by a maximum fine of five hundred dollars ($500) or both penalties at the discretion of the court.
History —Aug. 11, 1988, No. 168, § 14, eff. July 1, 1989.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 74 - Salaries of Employees and Technicians of the Property Registry (§§ 2064 — 2067) › § 2064 - Public policy

The Puerto Rico Property Registry is a source of millions in income for our Government. Its public notice confers guarantee and safety to users, for which reason the registry of transactions is of great importance for the economic development of our country.
In spite of its importance, this institution is presently in a chaotic state due to the backlog in processing transactions. A mechanization process has been started to facilitate transaction processing, but while the changes are implemented in a general way, it is necessary to update the conventional transactions that have been taking place until now.
The scarcity of human resources has contributed in great part to the situation described above. Registry technicians and employees perform a highly specialized work that requires knowledge, skills, dedication and great responsibility; however, their remuneration is inadequate.
Since the purpose of the Puerto Rico Government is to retain these employees in their posts and, their job being sui-generis, which does not compare to that of other employees in public service, we deem it necessary to exclude them from the provisions of the Uniform Compensation Act, and to establish a range of salaries for the employees and technicians of the Property Registry that keeps pace with the work conditions, responsibility levels and complexity in the functions they perform. Further, the Secretary of Justice or his/her successor in functions of Property Registry control, policy, administration, facilities or budget, as this is defined in § 2051 of Title 30, known as the “Wages of the Mortgage and Property Registry Act”, is hereby empowered to revise the ranges of intermediate salaries therein.
History —Sept. 2, 2000, No. 363, § 2, eff. July 1, 2001.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 74 - Salaries of Employees and Technicians of the Property Registry (§§ 2064 — 2067) › § 2065 - Salary ranges

The following salary ranges are hereby established for technicians and employees of the Puerto Rico Property Registry, as of July 1, 2001:
Post Category Basic Monthly Salary Maximum Salary Service Worker $1,400.00 $1,960.00 Tecnician I 1,824.00 2,554.00 Tecnician II 1,906.00 2,668.00 Tecnician III/Certifier 2,082.00 2,914.00 Supervisor 2,274.00 3,064.00
History —Sept. 2, 2000, No. 363, § 3, eff. July 1, 2001.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 74 - Salaries of Employees and Technicians of the Property Registry (§§ 2064 — 2067) › § 2066 - Salary ranges—Revision

The Secretary of Justice “or his/her successor, as established by Section 2 of this Act”, is hereby empowered to make a revision of the intermediate salary ranges of employees and technicians of the Puerto Rico Property Registry, to become effective as of July 1, 2001. After that date, the Secretary “or his/her successor, as provided in this Act”, shall revise the salary ranges through regulations issued for such purpose.
History —Sept. 2, 2000, No. 363, § 4, eff. July 1, 2001.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 74 - Salaries of Employees and Technicians of the Property Registry (§§ 2064 — 2067) › § 2067 - Salary ranges—Exclusion

Employees and technicians of the Puerto Rico Property Registry are excluded from provisions concerning salary ranges contained in Act No. 89 of July 12, 1979, known as the “Uniform Compensation Act”, applicable to employees in public service.
History —Sept. 2, 2000, No. 363, § 5, eff. July 1, 2001.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 75 - Uniform Administrative Procedure (§§ 2101 — 2201) › Subchapter I - General Provisions (§§ 2101 — 2105) › § 2101 - Public policy; construction

It is hereby established that the public policy of the Commonwealth is to encourage the informal solution of administrative issues so that formal solution of the matters submitted to the agency will be unnecessary. The agencies shall establish the rules and procedures that will allow the informal solution of the matters submitted for their consideration without impairing the rights guaranteed by this chapter. This section has the purpose of encouraging, without requiring or binding a party, to submit and resolve an issue through informal means.
The provisions of this chapter shall be construed liberally, thus guaranteeing that the administrative procedures shall be carried out in a speedy, fair and economical way that will ensure an equitable solution of the cases under the agency’s consideration.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 170, § 1.2, eff. 6 months after Aug. 12, 1988.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 75 - Uniform Administrative Procedure (§§ 2101 — 2201) › Subchapter I - General Provisions (§§ 2101 — 2105) › § 2103 - Applicability

This chapter shall apply to all the administrative procedures conducted before all the agencies that are not expressly excepted by this chapter. The following functions and activities shall be excluded from this chapter:
Investigative and criminal procedure functions realized by the Department of Justice, the Special Investigations Bureau and the Puerto Rico Police.
Discretion is hereby granted to the agencies, in the measure that is necessary to prevent the denial of funds and services of the federal government of the United States of America which would otherwise be available, to adjust their administrative procedures to those required by applicable federal laws, and including the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. § 551 et seq. If the procedures of the Administrative Procedure Act are followed the agency shall not be obliged to duplicate procedures in the actions it may take and shall only use what is provided in said act in such matters that are pertinent to the action that is subject to an agreement, provision of funds or services, or a delegation of authority by the Government of the United States. Even in such cases, the disclosure and publication requirements established by this chapter shall apply.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 170, § 1.4; Nov. 30, 1990, No. 18, § 2, retroactive to 6 months after Aug. 12, 1988.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 75 - Uniform Administrative Procedure (§§ 2101 — 2201) › Subchapter I - General Provisions (§§ 2101 — 2105) › § 2104 - Implementation

The Governor shall designate a Commission of five (5) members from among the Secretaries of his Cabinet, heads of agencies, members of boards or commissions, or other persons of recognized expertise in the field of administrative law to render a report to him and to the Legislature on the progress in the implementation of this chapter in the various agencies of the Government of Puerto Rico, with its recommendations. This Commission shall be in charge of supervising and facilitating the implementation of this chapter. This Commission shall be operative for four (4) years counting from the effective date of this act, but its activities may be extended for additional terms at the Governor’s discretion.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 170, § 1.5; Nov. 30, 1990, No. 18, § 3, retroactive to 6 months after Aug. 12, 1988.