reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter III - Promotion Procedure (§§ 314 — 314c) › § 314a - Recognition of classifications and teaching levels

The recognition of classifications and levels in the teaching career is a power of the Secretary that cannot be delegated.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 4.02, renumbered as § 3.02 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter III - Promotion Procedure (§§ 314 — 314c) › § 314b - Right to promotion

The members of the teaching career shall be entitled to a promotion in classification level by presenting attesting documents in evidence of:
(1) Satisfactory completion of their Professional Improvement Plans.
(2) Consistent satisfactory evaluations of their teaching performance which show that they have the professional skills listed in § 313 of this title.
Years of service alone do not qualify any member of the teaching career for a promotion in level.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 4.03, renumbered as § 3.03 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter III - Promotion Procedure (§§ 314 — 314c) › § 314c - Request for recognition of level

The procedure related to promotions in level pursuant to § 314b of this title shall be as follows:
(1) Members of the teaching career shall request the promotion in level on the date indicated by the Secretary in the Teaching Career Regulations. The application shall include a certified copy of the Professional Improvement Plan, and those documents that attest that the applicant has satisfactorily completed it. Applications for recognition of level shall be filed in the office of the Director.
(2) The Directors and the Committee shall analyze the requests, disregarding any consideration not related to the provisions of § 315b of this title. Upon conclusion of the analysis, they shall submit all the files to the Secretary, along with a report with their recommendation as to whether or not the candidate is qualified for the level for which recognition is requested. The Directors shall inform the petitioners of the recommendations that shall be submitted to the Secretary in each case.
(3) The Secretary shall review the Reports of the Directors and the Committee and shall make the corresponding decision pursuant to the law. The petitioners shall be informed of the decision of the Secretary through the procedure established in the Teaching Career Regulations.
(4) The final decisions of the Secretary shall be reviewable through the complaints and grievances arbitration procedure established in §§ 1451 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Puerto Rico Public Service Labor Relations Act”, and in the collective bargaining agreement between the Department of Education and the exclusive representative of the employees thus affected.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 4.04, renumbered as § 3.04 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter IV - Professional Improvement Plans (§§ 315 — 315g) › § 315 - Description

Professional Improvement Plans are five (5) year action programs designed by the members of the teaching career with the purpose of directing their efforts to achieve their own proposed objectives.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 5.01, renumbered as § 4.01 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter IV - Professional Improvement Plans (§§ 315 — 315g) › § 315a - Contents

The plans shall combine the following elements:
(1) Formal studies with academic credits in teaching and related areas, in areas related to the teacher’s specialty, in higher education institutions accredited or recognized in Puerto Rico;
(2) hours of participation in continuing education activities organized by the Department, approved by it or by the Continuing Evaluation Committee;
(3) practice teaching in their area of specialization, and
(4) academic and non-academic activities, of value for the school, the students, and the community, such as the development of research projects, organization of student activities, rendering of guidance services to students and their parents, offering of training sessions to the teaching personnel of the school, and special attention to students who are lagging, or students who have high academic [achievement].
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 5.02, renumbered as § 4.02 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter IV - Professional Improvement Plans (§§ 315 — 315g) › § 315b - Preparation

On the date of the admission to the teaching career as well as upon achieving a new level, the member of the teaching career shall prepare a Professional Improvement Plan, in coordination with the Director of his/her school, in order to train for the following level.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 5.03, renumbered as § 4.03 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter IV - Professional Improvement Plans (§§ 315 — 315g) › § 315c - Structure

The plans shall be divided into five (5) stages. The teaching career member shall state the specific goals and objectives that he/she intends to achieve for each stage, with the approval of academic credits in university institutions, hours of participation in short courses and continuing education programs, and the organization of activities such as those validated in § 315a of this title.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 5.04, renumbered as § 4.04 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter IV - Professional Improvement Plans (§§ 315 — 315g) › § 315d - Filing and confidentiality

The plans shall be filed in the office of the Director, who shall be their custodian, and shall be deemed to be confidential documents, as long as the teachers do not initiate the process corresponding to recognition of the level established in Subchapter III, or claim reviews of their level pursuant to § 313h of this title.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 5.05, renumbered as § 4.05 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter IV - Professional Improvement Plans (§§ 315 — 315g) › § 315e - Amendments

The members of the teaching career, in coordination with the Directors, may amend their Professional Improvement Plans. They may also add pertinent documents or papers at any time they deem necessary.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 5.06, renumbered as § 4.06 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter IV - Professional Improvement Plans (§§ 315 — 315g) › § 315f - Compliance

The development of the Professional Improvement Plans shall be the exclusive responsibility of the members of the teaching career. However, the Directors shall make the necessary administrative adjustments to expedite their compliance thereof without reducing the hours devoted to the students.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 5.07, renumbered as § 4.07 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter IV - Professional Improvement Plans (§§ 315 — 315g) › § 315g - Conditions for promotions in level

No member of the teaching career who has failed to comply with their Professional Improvement Plan shall be eligible for a promotion at level, nor for a revision at level.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 5.08, renumbered as § 4.08 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter V - Continuing Education (§§ 316 — 316h) › § 316 - Continuing education program

Continuing education programs shall consist of courses, seminars, conferences, workshops and educational activities with academic credit or contact hours, which shall be given or approved by the Department and shall provide the opportunity to examine subjects and problems related to education, or to develop and perfect professional skills of the respective responsibilities of the members of the teaching career.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 6.01, renumbered as § 5.01 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter V - Continuing Education (§§ 316 — 316h) › § 316a - Continuing education programs of the Department

The Department shall plan, organize and offer, directly or through universities or other educational institutions, continuing education programs addressed to meet the needs of the public education system. The structuring of these programs shall be done in close collaboration with the components of the System.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 6.02, renumbered as § 5.02 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter V - Continuing Education (§§ 316 — 316h) › § 316b - Drafting of program

The Secretary shall ensure that the continuing education programs:
(1) Respond to the needs of the schools and their components.
(2) Are scheduled on convenient dates and times.
(3) Are held in accessible places.
(4) Are announced sufficiently in advance.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 6.03, renumbered as § 5.03 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter V - Continuing Education (§§ 316 — 316h) › § 316c - Continuing Education Committee—Creation and members

Each school of the Public Education System shall have a Continuing Education Committee. The Committee shall consist of two (2) members of the teaching career, designated by the Director, who shall preside.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 6.04, renumbered as § 5.04 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter V - Continuing Education (§§ 316 — 316h) › § 316d - Continuing Education Committee—Functions

The Continuing Education Committee of the school shall perform the following functions:
(1) Identify the specific needs of the school with regard to short-term training.
(2) Collaborate in the disclosure and promotion of continuing education activities in their school.
(3) Organize conferences and professional activities to analyze subjects discussed in the continuing education programs.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 6.05, renumbered as § 5.05 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter V - Continuing Education (§§ 316 — 316h) › § 316e - Continuing Education Committee—Reports

The semiannual reports of the Committees submitted to the Secretary shall constitute the foundation to design the continuing education programs. Said reports shall be submitted on the date indicated by the Secretary.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 6.06, renumbered as § 5.06 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter V - Continuing Education (§§ 316 — 316h) › § 316f - Offerings of universities

The Secretary shall coordinate and promote jointly with the President of the University of Puerto Rico and the presidents of other universities and educational institutions, within and outside of Puerto Rico, the offering of post-graduate study programs by the University of Puerto Rico and other universities or education institutions in and abroad, in order to meet the needs of the Public Education System, and specifically those of the members of the teaching career. He/she shall also promote the organization of activities for the professional development of teachers. In addition, they shall promote the execution of agreements between universities and educational institutions of the country, and of other countries; as well as establishing credit validation systems for the hours participated in continuing education programs given by the universities and educational institutions.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 6.07; Aug. 24, 2000, No. 192, § 1; renumbered as § 5.07 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter V - Continuing Education (§§ 316 — 316h) › § 316g - Continuing professional development

Professional Improvement Plans shall establish systematic efforts to renew and develop the skills of the members of the teaching career. To such effects, the Department shall provide time in the school calendar for each member of the teaching profession to develop his/her own Professional Improvement Plan.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 6.08, renumbered as § 5.08 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter V - Continuing Education (§§ 316 — 316h) › § 316h - Other continuing education activities

Every career teacher shall obtain authorization, if necessary, to attend continuing education activities offered by professional organizations or other entities. In every case, it shall be notified to the Continuing Education Committee in order to ensure that the corresponding hours are [credited].
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 6.09, renumbered as § 5.09 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter VI - Evaluation of Members of the Teaching Career (§§ 317 — 317g) › § 317 - Evaluation system

The evaluation system of the members of the teaching career shall be established in order to foster the development of professional aptitudes and skills pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. The Secretary of Education shall establish the procedures to evaluate the teaching career members.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 7.01, renumbered as § 6.01 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter VI - Evaluation of Members of the Teaching Career (§§ 317 — 317g) › § 317f - Evaluation of the teaching career members

The Secretary shall establish the procedures for the evaluation of the members thereof in the Teaching Career Regulations. In the case of classroom teachers their performance shall be evaluated through the analysis of the Professional Improvement Plans, periodic interviews with the teachers being evaluated, classroom visits, and the analysis of the performance. With regard to the other members of the teaching career, their work shall be evaluated through the analysis of their Professional Improvement Plans, periodic interviews with them, visits to their work centers, and through the evaluation of the reports submitted of work performed. All members shall show that they have the pertinent professional skills of their classification. The evaluations of their directors may be revised through the arbitration of complaints and grievances procedures established in §§ 1451 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Puerto Rico Public Service Labor Relations Act”, and in the collective bargaining agreement between the Department of Education and the exclusive representative of the employees concerned.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 7.07, renumbered as § 6.02 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter VI - Evaluation of Members of the Teaching Career (§§ 317 — 317g) › § 317g - Difficult recruitment areas

The Secretary may establish incentives by regulation in order to attract or maintain those candidates or members with specialties of difficult recruitment in the teaching career.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, added as § 6.03 on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter VII - Interim Provisions (§§ 318 — 318b) › § 318 - Recognition of initial classifications and levels

School counselors, school social workers, specialist educational technology teachers, industrial coordinators, and vocational programs coordinators who are working in the System on the effective date of this act, may claim their corresponding teaching level and classification in the following year, according to the standards provisionally established in this section.
To such effects the following classifications shall be acknowledged:
Level I. — Permanent officials, with at least two (2) years of experience in the System.
Level II. — Permanent officials, with more than two years and less than thirteen (13) years of experience in the System, who hold a Master’s degree granted by a higher education institution duly accredited or recognized in Puerto Rico; or with more than two (2) years and less than eight (8) years of experience in the System, who hold a Doctor’s degree granted by a higher education institution duly accredited or recognized in Puerto Rico.
Level III. — Permanent officials with at least thirteen (13) years of experience in the System, and who hold a Master’s degree granted by a higher education institution duly accredited or recognized in Puerto Rico; or with at least eight (8) years of experience in the System who hold a Doctor’s degree granted by a higher education institution duly accredited or recognized in Puerto Rico.
Level IV. — Permanent officials with at least fifteen (15) years of experience in the System, and [who] hold a Doctor’s degree granted by a higher education institution, duly accredited or recognized in Puerto Rico.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 9.01, renumbered as § 8.01 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter VII - Interim Provisions (§§ 318 — 318b) › § 318a - Recognition of existing ranks

Every teacher and librarian-teacher, who voluntarily and by virtue of this chapter, has joined or is a member of the teaching career at the moment this act becomes effective and is classified as:
(1) Assistant Teacher, shall be denominated Teacher I or Librarian-Teacher I.
(2) Associate Teacher, shall be denominated Teacher III or Librarian-Teacher III.
(3) Teacher, shall be denominated Teacher or Librarian-Teacher IV.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, added as § 8.02 on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter VII - Interim Provisions (§§ 318 — 318b) › § 318b - Consideration of promotion of existing members

Every teacher and librarian-teacher, who voluntarily, and by virtue of this chapter, has joined or is a member of the teaching career at the moment this act becomes effective, and wishes to be considered for a different level to that which corresponds to him/her by virtue of § 318a of this title, shall comply with the requirements inherent to the level for which he/she requests promotion.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, added as § 8.03 on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 16 - Teaching Career Act (§§ 310 — 319) › Subchapter VIII - Final Provisions (§ 319) › § 319 - Protection of rights

No provision of this chapter shall modify, revoke, alter or invalidate the vested rights of the teaching personnel of the Public Education System.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 10.01, renumbered as § 9.01 on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 17 - Teachers’ Benefits (§§ 321-325 — 383a) › § 366b - Teachers’contribution to fund—Increase in pensions

(a) Every teacher, retired or entitled to retire on any date prior to June 30, 1979, under the terms of §§ 321—366 of this title, or any other teachers’ pension law approved by the Legislature of Puerto Rico, who is receiving a pension or life annuity shall be entitled to receive an increase in said pension or life annuity of twenty-five dollars ($25) a month from July 1, 1979, on.
(b) The Teachers’ Retirement Board shall take the necessary steps to enforce the provisions of this section.
(c) The cost of this increase shall be defrayed chargeable to the Teachers’ Pension and Life Annuity Fund.
History —May 31, 1973, No. 68, p. 309, §§ 1—3; July 26, 1979, No. 190, p. 527, retroactive to July 1, 1979.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 17 - Teachers’ Benefits (§§ 321-325 — 383a) › § 366c - Teachers’ contribution to fund—Investment of funds; increase in pensions under three thousand six hundred dollars ($3,600) a year

(a) An increase in the amount of those pensions which are less than three thousand six hundred dollars ($3,600) a year is hereby granted to all the pensioners in the Teachers’ Retirement System, including those who are pensioned for occupational or non-occupational disability, which shall be as follows:
Years of Service Amount of Increase (Annual) 30 years Three hundred dollars ($ 300) 20—29 years Two hundred and forty dollars ($ 240) 10—19 years One hundred and eighty dollars ($ 180)
Provided, That in the case of occupational or nonoccupational pensioners of the Teachers’ Retirement System who had less than ten (10) years of service shall be entitled to an increase of one hundred and eighty dollars ($180) a year.
Provided, also, That none of the increases to be granted can cause the pension to exceed the amount of three thousand six hundred dollars ($3,600) a year.
(b) The above-mentioned pensioners whose pension is in effect on or before June 30, 1983, shall be entitled to the increase provided by this section.
(c) Half of the annual cost of this increase shall be absorbed by the Teachers’ Retirement System’s own resources. The Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer annually to the Funds of the Teachers’ Retirement System half of the cost of the increase in these pensions provided by this section, from any available funds in the Commonwealth Treasury.
History —June 1, 1984, No. 47, p. 128, §§ 1—3, retroactive to July 1, 1983.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 17 - Teachers’ Benefits (§§ 321-325 — 383a) › § 367 - Home loans for teachers—Amounts and payments

The Teachers’ Pension Board is hereby authorized to make loans to teachers teaching in the public schools of the country, under contract as regular teachers, up to a sum which shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000), payable in a maximum period of ten (10) calendar years at the proportional rate of five hundred dollars ($500) each year, plus interest, policies, and interest on payments made by the Board for these policies; Provided, That in the case of two (2) teachers who act jointly, the Board may grant loans up to a sum which shall not exceed eight thousand dollars ($8,000), payable in a maximum period of ten (10) calendar years, at the proportional rate of eight hundred dollars ($800) each year [between] both teachers, plus interest, policies and interest on payments made by the Board against policies, prorating the obligations equally between both teachers; such loans being subject to the aforesaid provisions; and Provided, further, That such loans shall be used exclusively for the construction, acquisition, or repair of homes, or for the cancellation of mortgages due, or of mortgages on which the teacher may be paying a rate of interest which is much higher than the rate he would have to pay to this Board.
History —May 12, 1942, No. 239, p. 1380, § 2; Apr. 20, 1946, No. 382, p. 1034, § 1; May 13, 1950, No. 418, p. 996, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 17 - Teachers’ Benefits (§§ 321-325 — 383a) › § 368 - Home loans for teachers—Funds for loans; interest

In making the loans referred to in § 367 of this title, the Pension Board shall use such funds as are available and are not needed for other attentions and obligations of said board; Provided, That said loans shall bear no other interest than that of six percent (6%) a year.
History —May 12, 1942, No. 239, p. 1380, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 17 - Teachers’ Benefits (§§ 321-325 — 383a) › § 369 - Home loans for teachers—Security for loans; regulations

The Pension Board shall prepare and put in effect such rules as it may deem advisable and necessary for regulating the granting of such loans, which shall be guaranteed by first mortgages on the property for which the loan granted is to be used; Provided, That when building is to be done, the borrower shall offer to the Pension Board as a guarantee for his loan while the work is being done and while the corresponding mortgage deed is being executed, two (2) sureties of recognized moral and financial solvency, in addition to the collateral guarantee of his monthly salary, from which shall be deducted such sum as the borrower is obliged to pay every month; Provided, That as soon as the mortgage deed is entered in the proper registry of property, the board shall notify the bondsmen, who shall be relieved from every obligation from and after that date; Provided, further, That in the rules which the Pension Board may provide in connection with the insurance policies renewed annually for the greater guarantee and protection of the loans and of the borrowing teachers, respectively, said board shall provide that the payment of said renewed policies for the time covered by the loan shall be included as part of the debt and shall be deducted proportionally each month, together with the principal and interest.
History —May 12, 1942, No. 239, p. 1380, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 17 - Teachers’ Benefits (§§ 321-325 — 383a) › § 370 - Home loans for teachers—Legal guarantees approved by Secretary of Justice

All the other legal conditions of the contract of loan, as well as the guarantee of the title to the property to be mortgaged in favor of the board, shall be fixed by the Secretary of Justice of Puerto Rico; Provided, That on imposing such legal conditions, said officer shall conform to the provisions of the foregoing § 369 as regards the payment of the insurance policies renewed annually.
History —May 12, 1942, No. 239, p. 1380, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 17 - Teachers’ Benefits (§§ 321-325 — 383a) › § 371 - Home loans for teachers—Limitation on loan funds

In no case may the Pension Board use for the granting of the said loans those funds to be devoted to other attentions of said board or to meet such other obligations as the board is to contract.
History —May 12, 1942, No. 239, p. 1380, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 17 - Teachers’ Benefits (§§ 321-325 — 383a) › § 372 - Auction of mortgage credits by Pension Board

The Teachers’ Pension Board is hereby authorized and empowered to sell, cede or convey to the best bidder, at public auction, the amount of the mortgage credits owned by the Board, for the purpose of raising funds to replenish the item devoted to home loans, but never at a price lower than the principal of said mortgage credits.
History —May 15, 1949, No. 380, p. 1158, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 17 - Teachers’ Benefits (§§ 321-325 — 383a) › § 373 - Teacher’s Farm—Definition

There is hereby created within the school system of Puerto Rico an institution which shall be known as the “Teacher’s Farm”, which shall be established in the rural communities and preferably in those farthest from urban centers. The Teacher’s Farm shall be an institution of a public nature, which shall be acquired and maintained by public funds, and shall consist of a dwelling house valued at not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), a parcel of land, and the farming implements, equipment, and supplies necessary for its operation.
History —Apr. 14, 1943, No. 14, p. 40, § 1, eff. 90 days after Apr. 14, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 17 - Teachers’ Benefits (§§ 321-325 — 383a) › § 374 - Teacher’s Farm—Location; occupancy; management

The Teacher’s Farm shall be established in the rural communities beside the school and shall be occupied and managed in each case by the teacher appointed therefor, in accordance with the regulations that shall be promulgated for the purpose by the Secretary of Education.
History —Apr. 14, 1943, No. 14, p. 40, § 2, eff. 90 days after Apr. 14, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 17 - Teachers’ Benefits (§§ 321-325 — 383a) › § 375 - Teacher’s Farm—Acquisition and maintenance by Land Authority

The Land Authority of Puerto Rico is hereby authorized and directed to acquire, make serviceable, and maintain, these farms at its own expense, under the corresponding title or titles of the Land Law of Puerto Rico, approved April 12, 1941, as subsequently amended.
History —Apr. 14, 1943, No. 14, p. 40, § 3, eff. 90 days after Apr. 14, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 17 - Teachers’ Benefits (§§ 321-325 — 383a) › § 376 - Homes for teachers—Contribution to La Egida del Maestro

The school directors of Puerto Rico are hereby authorized to appropriate in their respective annual budgets, with the approval of the Secretary of Education, an amount not to exceed one-half of one percent (½ %) of their respective annual revenues, as an annual contribution to enable La Egida del Maestro, a corporation constituted and incorporated under the provisions of Act Mar. 9, 1911, No. 22, as amended to carry out the purposes for which it was incorporated.
History —Apr. 13, 1916, No. 16, p. 49, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 17 - Teachers’ Benefits (§§ 321-325 — 383a) › § 377 - Homes for teachers—Payments; trust fund

Any school director making an annual appropriation, in accordance with the provisions of § 376 of this title, may, with the approval of the Secretary of Education, direct payment thereof in favor of the Egida del Maestro, on any day of the fiscal year as the school director may deem fit and convenient. Any funds so ordered paid shall be deposited with the Secretary of the Treasury to be treated as a trust fund and no disbursements therefrom shall be made except for the specific purposes herein authorized, and all payments therefrom must be approved by the Secretary of the Treasury in the manner provided by law for the disbursement of public funds.
History —Apr. 13, 1916, No. 16, p. 49, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 17 - Teachers’ Benefits (§§ 321-325 — 383a) › § 378 - Homes for teachers—Buildings for home

The moneys contributed by the school directors, in accordance with the provisions of §§ 376 and 377 of this title, shall be devoted to and exclusively used by the Egida del Maestro for the purpose of constructing in Aibonito upon the site already granted to the Egida del Maestro, two (2) buildings, one for men and another for women, to be used as a resting place for teachers, and for the further purpose of constructing a building to be used as a home for indigent aged and invalid teachers; Provided, That the construction of any and all buildings herein authorized shall be done in accordance with projects to be approved by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works; and Provided, further, That the building to be used as a home for indigent aged and invalid teachers shall be built first.
History —Apr. 13, 1916, No. 16, p. 49, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 17 - Teachers’ Benefits (§§ 321-325 — 383a) › § 379 - Homes for teachers—Conditions for making contributions

The contribution herein authorized to be made by the school directors to the Egida del Maestro shall be upon condition that the said corporation will not change its articles of incorporation without the approval of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico; that the buildings constructed as aforesaid will not be used for purposes different from those herein specified and that the said buildings may not be sold or otherwise disposed of without the consent of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico.
History —Apr. 13, 1916, No. 16, p. 49, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 17 - Teachers’ Benefits (§§ 321-325 — 383a) › § 380 - Deductions from pension or annuity for dues or insurance

All teachers receiving, or who may in the future receive, a pension or a life annuity, may authorize the Teachers Retirement Board to deduct from their pension or their life annuity a specified sum for the payment of their monthly dues as members of the Teachers Association of Puerto Rico, the assessments of the Puerto Rico Commonwealth Employees Association, for the payment of insurance, the shares and other obligations of the Credit Union of the Teachers of Puerto Rico, or the assessments of the Health Insurance under the Federal Social Security Administration.
History —Apr. 23, 1954, No. 21, p. 146, § 1; May 23, 1966, No. 17, p. 137, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 17 - Teachers’ Benefits (§§ 321-325 — 383a) › § 381 - Deductions from pension or annuity for dues or insurance—Payment of sums deducted

The Teachers Retirement Board shall place the sums so deducted at the disposal of the Puerto Rico Teachers Association, the Puerto Rico Commonwealth Employees Association, the Credit Union of the Teachers of Puerto Rico, or the Federal Internal Revenue Office, by check drawn in favor of each such organization.
History —Apr. 23, 1954, No. 21, p. 146, § 2; May 23, 1966, No. 17, p. 137, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 17 - Teachers’ Benefits (§§ 321-325 — 383a) › § 382 - Deductions from salaries for sickness, accident, medical and life insurance benefits

(a) Those officials and employees of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico who are members of the Teachers’ Association of Puerto Rico may authorize the head of the department or dependency where they work to deduct from their salaries the corresponding amount for the payment of the regular assessments of the Teachers’ Association of Puerto Rico and the National Education Association, and of additional assessments for the payment of the following services:
(1) Special assistance in case of sickness or accident.
(2) Hospital and medical services to relatives of said employees.
(3) Life insurance in addition to that offered by the Teachers’ Association of Puerto Rico in accordance with its bylaws. Provided, That when a teacher so desires he may request that the deduction of such assessments be discontinued in whole or in part.
(b) The Secretary of the Treasury shall deduct from the salary of the officials and employees of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, who have so requested from the head of the department or dependency where they work, the corresponding amount for the payment of the assessments of the Teachers’ Association of Puerto Rico and the National Education Association, and of additional assessments for the payment of the following services:
(1) Special assistance in case of sickness or accident.
(2) Hospital and medical services to relatives of said employees.
(3) Life insurance in addition to that offered by the Teachers’ Association of Puerto Rico in accordance with its bylaws.
(c) The Secretary of the Treasury shall make one sole deduction to include in each case the assessments mentioned in the subsection (b) of this section, and the Teachers’ Association of Puerto Rico shall make the proper distribution thereof.
(d) The Secretary of the Treasury shall place at the disposal of the Teachers’ Association of Puerto Rico, by a check drawn monthly to the order of said Teachers’ Association, the amounts so deducted from the salaries of said officials and employees.
History —June 3, 1960, No. 23, p. 45, §§ 1—4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 17 - Teachers’ Benefits (§§ 321-325 — 383a) › § 383 - Repealed. Act Dec. 24, 2013, No. 160, § 2(d), effective December 24, 2013

History —May 23, 1980, No. 49, p. 133, §§ 1—3; Apr. 24, 1987, No. 14, p. 32, § 3; Sept. 2, 1997, No. 109, § 2; July 30, 2003, No. 170, § 1; Nov. 22, 2005, No. 144, § 2; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 17 - Teachers’ Benefits (§§ 321-325 — 383a) › § 383a - Repealed. Act Dec. 24, 2013, No. 160, § 2(b), effective December 24, 2013

History —July 15, 2003, No. 162, §§ 1, 2; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 18 - Pension Adjustment for Retired Teachers (§§ 384 — 384e) › § 384 - Definitions

Unless otherwise implied from the context of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning set forth hereinbelow:
(a) System. — The Teachers’ Retirement System, created by virtue of Act No. 218 of May 6, 1951, or by virtue of legislation approved in the future.
(b) Adjusted pension. — The resulting pension after applying three percent (3%) to the gross pension.
History —Sept. 4, 1992, No. 62, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 18 - Pension Adjustment for Retired Teachers (§§ 384 — 384e) › § 384a - Delegation of responsibility

The System is hereby directed, as of the first of January of 1992, and every three (3) years subsequently, to adjust by three percent (3%) all the annuities in effect as of January 1 of the year of the increase and which have been received for at least three (3) years prior to the date of the increase. If in any given year the System only has reserves for twenty-four (24) months or less, no increase may be granted in the pensions.
History —Sept. 4, 1992, No. 62, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 18 - Pension Adjustment for Retired Teachers (§§ 384 — 384e) › § 384b - Final computation

The System shall have the power to increase to the highest dollar those adjusted pensions with amounts in fractions of a dollar.
History —Sept. 4, 1992, No. 62, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 18 - Pension Adjustment for Retired Teachers (§§ 384 — 384e) › § 384c - Cost

The cost of the adjustment in pensions or life annuities authorized by this chapter shall proceed from the reserves in the Puerto Rico Teachers Annuity and Pension Fund, from the interest produced by the new investments made by the Puerto Rico Teachers Retirement Board as authorized by Section 35 of the “Teacher’s Retirement Act”, from employer and individual contributions in effect and from possible increases in the future; and from those special appropriations contributed by the Commonwealth Government with the purpose of maintaining the financial solvency of the system and which are consigned in the General Expense Budget of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, for the year in which the pension adjustment takes effect.
History —Sept. 4, 1992, No. 62, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 18 - Pension Adjustment for Retired Teachers (§§ 384 — 384e) › § 384d - Effectiveness

Retroactive to January 1, 1992, and subsequently every three (3) years, all annuities paid under this chapter for age, years of service or disability, which are effective as of said date and which have been received at least three years before, shall be increased by three percent (3%). In years subsequent to 1992, the triennial increase shall be subject to a prior favorable recommendation of the Teachers Retirement System’s Actuary. Upon compliance with said requirements, the Teachers Retirement Board shall submit the increase proposal to the Legislature of Puerto Rico for its approval. The triennial increase in years subsequent to 1992 shall cover all annuities paid under this chapter for age, years of service and disability which are in effect as of January 1 of the year in which the increase is granted, and which have been received at least three (3) years before.
History —Sept. 4, 1992, No. 62, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 18 - Pension Adjustment for Retired Teachers (§§ 384 — 384e) › § 384e - Rules

The System shall promulgate the rules and regulations that shall govern the administration of this chapter.
History —Sept. 4, 1992, No. 62, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 18A - Teacher’s Early Retirement Program (§§ 385 — 385n) › § 385a - Staggered implementation

The Teacher’s Retirement Board shall grant retirement for years of service rendered to all teachers of the System who so request in writing to the Retirement Board, after having practiced for a period of twenty-five (25) years or more and reached the age of fifty (50) or more.
The benefits of the Early Retirement Program previously provided in this chapter shall be implemented in a staggered manner; Provided, That during the first year of effectiveness of this act only those teachers who complete twenty-eight (28) years or more of service and have reached the age of fifty (50) or more may choose to avail themselves of the established pension. During the second year of effectiveness of this act only those teachers who complete twenty-five (25) years or more of service and have attained the age of fifty (50) or more, shall be eligible. All participants who qualify in the first year and second year of effectiveness shall request to avail themselves of the Program during the choice of retirement period provided in § 385k of this section.
History —Jan. 27, 2000, No. 44, § 4, eff. 30 days after Jan. 27, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 18A - Teacher’s Early Retirement Program (§§ 385 — 385n) › § 385b - Participation in the Program

Any person who by July 31 of the year 2000 and July 31 of the year 2001 has reached the age of fifty (50) or more, and twenty-five (25) years of contributed services shall be entitled to choose to avail him or herself of this Early Retirement Program as provided by the implementation of this chapter.
History —Jan. 27, 2000, No. 44, § 5, eff. 30 days after Jan. 27, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 18A - Teacher’s Early Retirement Program (§§ 385 — 385n) › § 385c - Annuity for early retirement

Upon choosing early retirement, any teacher who had not received his or her accrued contributions shall be entitled to receive an annual life pension equivalent to seventy-five percent (75%) of the average of the highest salaries earned in three (3) years.
History —Jan. 27, 2000, No. 44, § 6, eff. 30 days after Jan. 27, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 18A - Teacher’s Early Retirement Program (§§ 385 — 385n) › § 385e - Management of the Program

This Program shall be administered by the Teacher’s Retirement System.
History —Jan. 27, 2000, No. 44, § 8, eff. 30 days after Jan. 27, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 18A - Teacher’s Early Retirement Program (§§ 385 — 385n) › § 385f - Pension for surviving spouse and children

Should the pensioner die while receiving an annuity for retirement pursuant to this chapter, the spouse and the children that are minors, or physically or mentally disabled, shall be entitled to a pension according to what has already been provided in Act No. 218, supra, and the employer shall contribute in the corresponding proportion, pursuant to § 385d(a) of this title, regarding the benefits for the surviving spouse, minor and disabled children, as provided in this chapter.
History —Jan. 27, 2000, No. 44, § 9, eff. 30 days after Jan. 27, 2000.