reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 57 - Weights and Measures Law (§§ 901 — 928) › § 922 - Impersonation

Any person who shall impersonate in any way the Administrator, the Chief, the supervisors, the technicians or the officials of the Division of Weights and Measures, by the use of his official seal or a counterfeit of his seal, or in any other manner, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof by a competent court shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment in jail for a term of not more than one (1) year or by both penalties in the discretion of the court.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 145, p. 420, § 22, eff. 90 days after June 27, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 57 - Weights and Measures Law (§§ 901 — 928) › § 923 - Obstruction of official duties

Any person who in any way hinders, obstructs or delays the work of the Administrator, of the Chief, of the supervisors, technicians and of the officials of the Division of Weights and Measures in the performance of their official duties shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof by a competent court shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment in jail for a term of not more than six (6) months, or by both penalties in the discretion of the court.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 145, p. 420, § 23, eff. 90 days after June 27, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 57 - Weights and Measures Law (§§ 901 — 928) › § 924 - Gasoline

The Administrator, by regulations, shall determine the octane ratings of gasoline sold, offered, exhibited, delivered, displayed, transferred or in process of delivery, sale or transfer. It shall be unlawful to sell, offer, exhibit, deliver or display for sale gasoline which does not contain the rating or octane number established by the Administrator by regulations. Any person who violates this provision shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) or more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment in jail for a term not to exceed six (6) months for the first offense, and for subsequent offenses by a fine which shall not be less than five hundred dollars ($500) or more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) or by imprisonment in jail for a term of not more than one (1) year or by both penalties in the discretion of the court.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 145, p. 420, § 24, eff. 90 days after June 27, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 57 - Weights and Measures Law (§§ 901 — 928) › § 925 - Inspection and verification fees

The Administrator is hereby empowered to establish and to collect fees for inspection and verification services of the weights and measures in those cases where specialized and high cost equipment is required and the payment of transportation to carry out the inspection and verification of platform scales of great capacity used in heavy industry, measuring instruments used in the gasoline companies, measuring instruments in dairy industries and other similar instruments used in industry, commerce or agriculture for the purpose of assisting to defray, in part, the expenses in which the Administrator may incur for the purchase, maintenance and operation of said equipment.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 145, p. 420, § 25, eff. 90 days after June 27, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 57 - Weights and Measures Law (§§ 901 — 928) › § 926 - Administrative fines

In cases of violations to the provisions of this chapter or of any approved regulation, order or resolution, ruled or issued by virtue thereof, the Secretary is hereby authorized to impose and collect administrative fines; Provided, That the administrative fine shall not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for each violation and that the payment for said fine shall impede the criminal procedure. Each violation incurred shall be considered as a separate violation. The sums of money collected from such fines shall be covered into the funds of the Department of Consumer Affairs to strengthen the resources available to the Department for the protection of consumers.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 145, p. 420, § 26; Sept. 22, 2004, No. 401, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 57 - Weights and Measures Law (§§ 901 — 928) › § 927 - Request for reconsideration and action for review

Within the ten (10) days following the promulgation of a regulation, order or resolution, any party affected directly by the determination or the provisions of said regulation, order or resolution, may file a request for reconsideration in writing in accordance with the regulation for procedures approved by the Administration, specifying his objections to the determination or to any of said provisions. Any person affected by a decision taken by the Administrator after a proceeding of reconsideration may, within the ten (10) days following the notice of such decision, file an action for review before a competent court of Puerto Rico.
The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico, in its discretion, may by a writ of certiorari review the resolutions or judgments given by a Court of First Instance in the writs of review referred to in this section.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 145, p. 420, § 27, eff. 90 days after June 27, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 57 - Weights and Measures Law (§§ 901 — 928) › § 928 - Order or injunction

When in the judgment of the Administrator, any person has incurred or is about to incur in an act or practice which constitutes a violation of any provision of this chapter or of a regulation, resolution or order issued by the Administrator, said Administrator may request of a competent court an order preventing the commission or continuation of such acts or practice or of an injunction to compel the compliance with said provision and upon the previous demonstration by the Administrator in the sense that said person has incurred or is about to incur said violation, the court shall issue free of bond, a temporary or permanent writ of injunction, as requested.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 145, p. 420, § 28, eff. 90 days after June 27, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59 - Consumers Service Administration (§§ 1001 — 1017) › § 1001 - Creation; director and subdirector

With the primary purpose of protecting, representing, advising, educating and guiding the public consumer there is hereby created the Consumers Service Administration, which shall be under the direction of a Director, who shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of four (4) years and shall hold office until his successor is appointed and qualifies.
The Director shall appoint a Sub-Director who shall substitute for him in case of absence and shall fulfill those duties that the Director may assign.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 148, p. 438, § 1, eff. July 1, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59 - Consumers Service Administration (§§ 1001 — 1017) › § 1002 - Transfer of functions, powers, duties and property of other organizations

There are hereby transferred to the Consumers Service Administration all the functions, powers and duties of the Economic Stabilization Administration, as well as the property, records, outstanding balances of appropriations, items or other funds in the possession and under the custody of said Administration.
Likewise, all powers and faculties conferred on the Construction Officer created by virtue of §§ 501—509 of Title 17, are hereby transferred to the Consumers Service Administration and the Office of the Construction Officer shall form a part of the Consumers Service Administration with all its records, documents and outstanding balances.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 148, p. 438, § 2, eff. July 1, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59 - Consumers Service Administration (§§ 1001 — 1017) › § 1003 - Similar provisions

All those laws, rules, regulations and orders applicable to the Economic Stabilization Administration not in conflict with the provisions of this chapter, as well as with §§ 501-519 of Title 17, shall continue in effect, and it shall be understood, that from the effectiveness of this chapter they are related and refer to the Consumers Service Administration, and to its Director who shall be, for all purposes, the legal successor of the former administrator of the Economic Stabilization Administration.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 148, p. 438, § 3, eff. July 1, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59 - Consumers Service Administration (§§ 1001 — 1017) › § 1004 - Basic functions

In addition to the functions transferred by this chapter, the Consumers Service Administration shall have under its charge the following basic functions:
(1) To study the problems of the consumer and the best manner of protecting their interest.
(2) To compile, evaluate and divulge the existing legislation and regulation for protecting the consumer and to recommend the legislation deemed necessary for such purposes.
(3) In coordination with the other agencies and departments of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, promote and watch over the enforcement of all laws, rules, regulations and orders which affect the interest of the consumer.
(4) To educate and guide the consumer in the adequate solution of their consumption problems and in the best use of their income and of their credit, using therefor all techniques and means of communication within its reach.
(5) To promote the establishment of quality standards for products of use and consumption and to require their fulfillment.
(6) To establish the necessary coordination with other government agencies and organizations for the effective canalization of the education and guidance of the consumer in accordance with the programs and activities of each agency.
(7) To attend consultations and offer technical and legal advice to the consumers.
(8) To attend and investigate complaints presented by the consumers of goods and services acquired or received from the private sector of the economy, to take the corresponding action according to law, and to refer said complaints, when necessary, to the corresponding organization, agency, or department promoting, in keeping with the laws and regulations in effect, the most rapid and effective solution of the stated matters.
(9) To represent the public consumer before any private entity or public organization in any matter affecting or which might affect the interest of the consumer.
(10) To serve as mediator, on request of the interested party, in the solution of controversies arising between consumers and suppliers.
(11) To stimulate the formation of nonprofit private groups of consumers, exclusively engaged in protecting and watching over the interest of the consumer.
(12) To promote in benefit of the consumers fair and honest practices of commerce and industry in their transactions with the consumers, and to such purposes prepare Codes of Ethics to which merchants and industrialists operating in Puerto Rico may voluntarily subscribe or to use any other mechanism entailing the same results. For the greatest effectiveness of this function the Director shall carry out the necessary coordination with the Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Administration, the Department of Justice and with any other agency or department which he may deem convenient, as well as with the industry and commerce in general.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 148, p. 438, § 4, eff. July 1, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59 - Consumers Service Administration (§§ 1001 — 1017) › § 1005 - Powers

The Consumers Service Administration shall have the following powers:
(a) Approve, amend or revoke those rules, regulations, orders and determinations necessary to the compliance of this chapter. The rules and regulations not of an internal character shall be promulgated in accordance with the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3. For the adoption of the rules and regulations not of internal character, the Director shall hold public hearings after publishing a notice in at least one (1) of the newspapers of greatest circulation in Puerto Rico, indicating the date, place and nature of said hearing. The publication shall be made at least five (5) days in advance of the hearing or audience.
(b) File any necessary legal remedy to fulfill the purposes of this chapter and to enforce the rules, regulations, orders and determinations of the Administration.
(c) Appear for and in representation of the consumers before any court, board, committee, administrative organization, department, office or agency of the Commonwealth, in any hearing, proceeding or matter that affects or may affect the interest of the consumer in general, or groups of consumers, or of any other particular consumer.
(d) Upon previous notice and hearings impose administrative fines for violations of the rules, regulations and orders approved or prescribed by the Administration in accordance with this chapter. Said fines shall not be less than twenty-five dollars ($25) or more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).
(e) The Director may enter into contracts or agreements with public or private institutions for carrying out investigations, proofs, examinations or analysis of products, articles or service as well as to carry out publicity campaigns.
(f) Perform all those other necessary and convenient reasonable acts for the most efficient achievement of the purposes of this chapter, including the holding of public and administrative hearings.
(g) To resolve and adjudge the complaints presented by the consumers of goods and services acquired or received from the private sector of the economy entailing any unfair or deceitful act or practice including, but without it being limited, to the unfulfillment of an offer, warranty or service, or the publication of false or deceitful advertisements.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 148, p. 438, § 5; June 30, 1972, No. 31, p. 445.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59 - Consumers Service Administration (§§ 1001 — 1017) › § 1006 - Studies, investigations and subpoenas

(a) The Consumers Service Administration is hereby empowered to carry out all kinds of studies and investigations on matters affecting the consumer and to such purposes the Director may require the information which might be necessary, pertinent and essential to achieve such purposes and to approve those necessary and reasonable rules and regulations. The Director may issue subpoenas requiring the appearance of witnesses and the presentation of data or information to carry out the purposes of this chapter. He may also, through himself or by means of his agent duly authorized, administer oaths and receive testimonies, data or information.
(b) If a subpoena issued by the Administrator is not duly complied with, the Director may appear before the Court of First Instance of Puerto Rico and request the compliance of the subpoena. The Court of First Instance shall give preference to the course and dispatch of said request and may issue orders compelling the appearance of witnesses or the presentation of data or information previously required by the Director. The Court of First Instance is empowered to punish for contempt disobedience to the orders.
(c) No person shall refuse to comply with a subpoena of the Director or of his representative or to produce the required evidence, or refuse to answer any question in connection with any study or investigation, or refuse to comply with a judicial order so issued, alleging that the testimony or evidence required may incriminate him or subject him to criminal prosecution or that may cause his dismissal or removal from his employment, profession or occupation; but the testimony or evidence produced by said person on the requirements of the Director or his representative or by virtue of a judicial order, may not be used or presented as proofs against him in any criminal prosecution or in civil or administrative action that may cause his dismissal or removal from his employment, profession or occupation.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 148, p. 438, § 6, eff. July 1, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59 - Consumers Service Administration (§§ 1001 — 1017) › § 1007 - Order to cease and desist

(a) Upon previous hearing and determination that a complainant party has incurred in a violation of this chapter or of an administrative order or resolution or of a regulation approved under same, the Director may issue against the complainant party an order to cease and desist and prescribe the corrective terms and conditions that through the evidence at his disposal he may determine beneficial to the consumer.
(b) The orders issued under this section shall be notified to the complainant party at its place of business or by certified mail to his last known address.
(c) The Director may appeal to the Court of First Instance of Puerto Rico requesting that any order of ceasing and desisting issued by him or any corrective order be put into effect.
(d) Noncompliance of a judicial order granting the request shall constitute contempt of court.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 148, p. 438, § 7, eff. July 1, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59 - Consumers Service Administration (§§ 1001 — 1017) › § 1008 - Information to the public

The Director may, when he so deems convenient in behalf of the consumer, inform the public through available means, on the illegal, fraudulent and deceitful practices committed in the goods and service market.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 148, p. 438, § 8, eff. July 1, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59 - Consumers Service Administration (§§ 1001 — 1017) › § 1009 - Petition for reconsideration; appeal for review; certiorari

(a) Any person directly or adversely affected by acts, orders or resolutions issued by the Director in accordance with the powers granted by this chapter may, within the ten (10) days following his notification, file a written petition for reconsideration, specifying his objections.
(b) Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Director to a request for reconsideration may, within the ten (10) days following the date of the notice of such decision, file an appeal for review to the Court of First Instance, San Juan Part.
(c) The appeal for review shall be executed by presenting a petition in the office of the Secretary of the court in which there shall be stated the fundamentals on which the petition for review is based. On the filing of the petition, the petitioner shall notify same to the Director within a term of five (5) days from and after its filing.
When the appeal for review has been established, it shall be the duty of the Director to take to the court a certified copy of the documents appearing in the record, within a term of ten (10) days from and after the date in which he was notified of the filing of the appeal for review. When the documents have been received, the court shall indicate the hearing of the appeal to take place within a term of not more than one hundred and twenty (120) days reckoning from the date said documents were received. The court shall revise on their merits the issue of fact and questions of law which caused the review of the decision of the Director.
The court shall issue its decision of the case within a term of five (5) days reckoning from the date of the holding of the hearing. The court shall notify its decision to the Director within the term of ten (10) days following the decision thereof.
(d) The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico, in the exercise of its discretion, may review through certiorari the decisions or judgments issued by the Court of First Instance in the appeals for review to which this section refers.
(e) The petition for reconsideration or the filing for the petition of review to which this section refers shall not stay the effects of the regulation, order or resolution of the Director.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 148, p. 438, § 9; June 23, 1971, No. 80, p. 236.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59 - Consumers Service Administration (§§ 1001 — 1017) › § 1010 - Coordinating Committee of Consumers Service

(a) With the purpose of coordinating the consumers service and of advising the Director on the matter, there is hereby created the Coordinating Committee of Consumers Service, which shall be composed of a representative of each one of the following organizations: Agricultural Extension Service, Department of Education, Department of Health, Cooperative Development Administration, Department of Labor, Department of Commerce, Department of Justice, Public Service Commission, Urban Renewal and Housing Corporation, Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, Department of Agriculture, Consumers Service Administration, and of other public or private organizations rendering services to the consumer and which the Director considers must be represented in said Committee.
(b) Said representatives shall be designated by the heads of said organizations. As far as possible, the appointment shall devolve on the officers who direct or who are closely related to the programs of education and guidance of the consumer in the respective organizations. In the event of representatives of the private sector, same shall be appointed by the Director.
(c) Members of the Committee shall not receive remuneration for their services as such, but shall be entitled to receive from the respective participating organization payments for per diem and mileage when necessary, in accordance with the regulations promulgated to such effect by the Department of the Treasury. The Consumers Service Administration shall defray the said expenses incurred by the representatives of the private sector.
(d) The Director shall be the Chairman of the Committee and shall provide the Committee with the necessary secretarial and technical services.
(e) Under the direction of its Chairman, the Committee may meet in its totality or subdivided in groups, but must meet in its totality, at a place designated by its Chairman, at least once every three (3) months.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 148, p. 438, § 10, eff. July 1, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59 - Consumers Service Administration (§§ 1001 — 1017) › § 1011 - Personnel

(a) The personnel of the Economic Stabilization Administration and of the Office of the Construction Officer are hereby transferred to the Consumers Service Administration with all rights acquired under the pertinent provisions. The necessary additional personnel shall be appointed in accordance with the effective laws and regulations.
(b) The Director shall contract the professional and technical services that might be necessary to attend the multiple and complex problems which the consumer must face and which require complementary attention and action of specialized personnel.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 148, p. 438, § 11, eff. July 1, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59 - Consumers Service Administration (§§ 1001 — 1017) › § 1012 - Annual reports

At the end of each fiscal year the Director shall render to the Governor and to the Legislature a report of the work performed during the year.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 148, p. 438, § 12, eff. July 1, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59 - Consumers Service Administration (§§ 1001 — 1017) › § 1013 - Appropriation; ordinary expenses

The sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) is hereby appropriated to the Consumers Service Administration from any unencumbered available funds in the Commonwealth Treasury to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The necessary appropriations for ordinary expenses of operation of the Consumers Service Administration for fiscal year 1968—69 and for subsequent years shall be consigned in the General Budget Act.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 148, p. 438, § 13, eff. July 1, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59 - Consumers Service Administration (§§ 1001 — 1017) › § 1014 - Prohibited acts, practices, advertisements and publicity

Every type or kind of act, practice, advertisement or publicity is hereby prohibited which constitutes or tends to constitute fraud or deceit, where the article, product or service is falsely represented or which creates in the consumer an image or erroneous impression on the brand, price, amount, size, quality, grade, salubrity or any other characteristics of the product, article or service.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 148, p. 438, § 14, eff. July 1, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59 - Consumers Service Administration (§§ 1001 — 1017) › § 1015 - Penalties

Any violation of the provisions of this chapter or of the provisions contained in the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or of the orders and resolutions issued by the Director, shall constitute a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment not to exceed six (6) months, or by both penalties at the discretion of the court.
History —June 27, 1968, No. 148, p. 438, § 15, eff. July 1, 1968.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59 - Consumers Service Administration (§§ 1001 — 1017) › § 1016 - Costs and attorney’s fees

(a) The Department of Consumer Affairs and the Department of Justice may recover costs and attorney fees in all actions that are filed in our courts and in the federal courts for the protection of consumers.
(b) The costs and attorney’s fees recovered under subsection (a) of this section shall be covered into the Treasury of Puerto Rico, in a Special Fund to be administered by the Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico, but which shall be devoted to defray, in part, the expenses incurred by these agencies in initiating future actions for the protection of the consumers.
History —Mar. 20, 1972, No. 10, p. 23, §§ 1, 2; Sept. 17, 2004, No. 379, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59 - Consumers Service Administration (§§ 1001 — 1017) › § 1017 - Amounts recovered in judgments; special fund

The amounts recovered by the plaintiffs on behalf of consumers and/or merchants unnamed or undetermined in class suits under the laws of the Commonwealth and/or the United States of America shall be deposited in a Trust Fund to be used according to an order issued by the sentencing court, which shall see that said amounts be used in favor or in benefit of the consumers’ or merchants’ class who suffered the damage.
The court shall appoint an administrator for such Fund and shall fix his fees. If the administrator happens to be a government official, he shall receive no compensation whatsoever.
During the year following the filing of copy of the judgment, any member of the class favored by the latter may claim his rights pursuant to the proceedings established by the court.
After one year, the amounts recovered shall be deposited in a Trust Fund created by § 1016(b) of this title and shall be used for the prosecution of actions for protection of the consumers and/or merchants.
The court shall order the administrator to notify the members of the class through the publication of edicts in two (2) newspapers of general circulation and in a fairly visible way, once (1) a week, during the four (4) weeks immediately following the judgment and the four (4) weeks immediately preceding the end of the one (1) year prescribed period settled in this section. The court may provide, in addition to the method herein indicated, any other it deems proper.
History —June 7, 1973, No. 110, p. 455.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59A - Contractor’s Registry (§§ 1020a — 1020h) › § 1020a - Creation

The creation of a Contractors Registry, attached to the Office of Construction of the Department of Consumer Affairs, is hereby directed.
History —Aug. 10, 1995, No. 146, § 1, eff. 90 days after Aug. 10, 1995.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59A - Contractor’s Registry (§§ 1020a — 1020h) › § 1020a-1 - Definitions

For the purposes of §§ 1020a—1020f of this title, the following terms shall have the meaning expressed below:
(a) Registry. — Shall refer to the Contractors Registry.
(b) Contractor. — Means a natural or juridical person who submits a construction proposal or bid, administers, directs or in any other manner, directly or indirectly, takes control of construction works, as defined in this chapter, or who claims to do so. This term also includes subcontractors or any other specialized contractor and any person engaged in the construction industry.
(c) Construction. — Means an alteration, demolition, restoration, repair, structure raising, equipment and materials installation and improvements of any type of construction work. It includes, but is not limited to, the installation and repair of utilities and the treatment of roofs to correct leakage.
(d) Construction work. — Means works such as housing, lot and landscape improvement, among others, whether undertaken in their totality or in part.
History —Aug. 10, 1995, No. 146, added as § 1(a) on Aug. 15, 1999, No. 242, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59A - Contractor’s Registry (§§ 1020a — 1020h) › § 1020b - Registration

The registration of every contractor, as defined in §§ 1020a—1020f of this title, in the Contractor’s Registry is hereby ordered. This registry shall be available for review by any interested party. Said registration shall be revised at intervals not to exceed three (3) months in order to include in said registry the final and binding determinations of the Department of Consumer Affairs for noncompliance. Should any determinations exist, that information shall be included in the registry together with [its] status next to the name of the contractor.
Every certification issued by the Department to such effects shall contain all the said data. Should the complaint be solved, all information pertaining thereto shall be eliminated from the certification issued. However, it shall not be eliminated from the Registry, which will show that the claim was adjudicated, and the determination of the Department.
History —Aug. 10, 1995, No. 146, § 2; Dec. 14, 1997, No. 139, § 1; Aug. 15, 1999, No. 242, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59A - Contractor’s Registry (§§ 1020a — 1020h) › § 1020c - Authorization of bond

The Department of Consumer Affairs is hereby authorized to require an annual bond, based on the volume of business of the contractor during the previous calendar year. The required bond shall not exceed the percentage established in the following table:
% Required
$ 50,000 or less 10 %
$ 50,001—99,999 8 %
$ 100,000—499,999 6 %
$ 500,000 or more 4 %
The Department shall require every contractor to certify its volume of business in his application for registration or the annual renewal thereof. Every new contractor who does not have a previous business record, shall be required to post a minimum bond of four thousand dollars ($4,000) corresponding to a volume of business of fifty thousand and one dollars ($50,001).
Every natural or juridical person who has a constructor or developer’s license under Act June 13, 1972, No. 130, shall not have to post the bond or any other fees required by §§ 1020a—1020f of this title.
Every natural or juridical person engaged in the construction business who does not hold a license under Act June 13, 1972, No. 130, and whose operations are bonded, shall not have to post the bond required by §§ 1020a—1020f of this title. Nevertheless, he shall have to present attesting evidence to such effects.
Any other person engaged in the construction business shall be bound to pay the fees and bond required by §§ 1020a—1020f of this title.
Every natural or juridical person who performs housing construction work, without any bond on such works, shall be imposed an administrative fine in a minimum amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000) up to a maximum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000). The fine shall be imposed on the individual or on the members of the Board of Directors, should it be a juridical person, or on the partners, in case of a legal partnership.
The Department of Consumer Affairs may review through regulations the percentage of the bond, taking into consideration the rise construction costs.
The Civil Code of Puerto Rico shall be the substantive law that is applicable in these cases. The prescriptive term to file a complaint or suit under §§ 1020a—1020f of this title shall be six (6) months in the case of defects in personal property, and two (2) years in the case of real estate, counting from the date the works were completed.
History —Aug. 10, 1995, No. 146, § 3; July 18, 1998, No. 137, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59A - Contractor’s Registry (§§ 1020a — 1020h) › § 1020d - Regulations

The Secretary of Consumer Affairs is hereby authorized to promulgate the regulations needed to comply with §§ 1020a—1020f of this title. Said regulations shall include every detail related to the bond required in § 1020c of this title.
History —Aug. 10, 1995, No. 146, § 4, eff. 90 days after Aug. 10, 1995.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59A - Contractor’s Registry (§§ 1020a — 1020h) › § 1020e - Penalties

Any natural or juridical person who is subject to the provisions of the preceding § 1020b of this title, and does not comply with the provisions of §§ 1020a—1020f of this title, shall incur a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished with a fine that shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500), or the penalty of restitution, or both penalties, at the discretion of the court. The Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs may opt to impose an administrative fine in lieu of filing a criminal complaint, in which case the fine shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each day that a violation of §§ 1020a—1020f of this title is incurred.
History —Aug. 10, 1995, No. 146, § 5, eff. 90 days after Aug. 10, 1995.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59A - Contractor’s Registry (§§ 1020a — 1020h) › § 1020e-1 - Contractor certification

The Construction Office of the Department of Consumer Affairs shall issue a contractor certification in the name of every contractor duly recorded in the Registry and whose bond is up to date. Any person who submits or accepts an estimate or quote or offers to undertake construction work, or in any manner oversees construction work not of his/her property, or undertakes any task or phase thereof, must, before taking any of the above steps, or advertising to do so, obtain a contractor certification.
The certification shall not be required to enter a bid for a federal project for which the applicable federal regulations do not require said certification. Neither shall a certification be required for those citizens who hold a license authorizing them to practice a profession or trade organized under regulations and/or as an association, provided its functions are limited to the functions of that profession or trade.
History —Aug. 10, 1946, No, 146, added as § 6 on Aug. 15, 1999, No. 242, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59A - Contractor’s Registry (§§ 1020a — 1020h) › § 1020e-2 - Additional prohibitions

(a) It is hereby prohibited to refuse to show the contractor certification in effect issued pursuant to §§ 1020a—1020f of this title if any person interested in contracting the services or already having contracted the services of a contractor, should so require. Any person responsible for violating this provision shall be fined by the Department of Consumer Affairs in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). If after being fined for violating this subsection the person were to incur additional violations, he/she shall be fined in an amount of not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each violation.
(b) It is hereby prohibited for any person or entity to contract the services of an uncertified contractor or to undertake works as contractor costing twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or more. Any person who violates this provision shall be fined by the Department of Consumer Affairs in an amount of not more than one hundred dollars ($100) per day of violation.
(c) It is hereby prohibited for any contractor to contract the services of another uncertified contractor or subcontractor. Any person who violates this provision shall be fined by the Department of Consumer Affairs in an amount of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day of violation. If after being fined for violating this subsection the person were to incur additional violations, he/she shall be fined in an amount of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each day of violation.
History —Aug. 10, 1995, No. 146, added as § 7 on Aug. 15, 1999, No. 242, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59A - Contractor’s Registry (§§ 1020a — 1020h) › § 1020f - Charge for registration

The Secretary shall collect the sum of one hundred dollars ($100) for the registration of each contractor; and one hundred dollars ($100) for the annual renewal of the registration. Likewise, the Secretary shall collect the sum of five dollars ($5) for the issuing of each certification. Funds thus collected shall be deposited in a special fund, without a specific fiscal year, to be used by the Secretary in implementing §§ 1020a—1020f of this title.
History —Aug. 10, 1995, No. 146, § 6; Dec. 14, 1997, No. 139, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59A - Contractor’s Registry (§§ 1020a — 1020h) › § 1020g - Annual reports—State Insurance Fund Corporation Administrator

(a) Annual report. — The Administrator of the State Insurance Fund Corporation is hereby directed to remit to the Office of Construction of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DACO) an annual report containing the names, addresses and any pertinent information of construction contractors who at the closing of the fiscal year have paid their policies in whole or in part. This report shall be remitted no later than December 31 following the closing of each fiscal year.
The contractor shall be notified in writing of this section, so that the person can proceed to be registered in the Contractor Registry, if applicable. Since the application of §§ 1020a—1020f of this title, or any other legal provision, is independent regardless of the duty imposed hereby, if said notice is omitted or has any defect, it can be remedied and shall not be an impediment for the Department of Consumer Affairs (DACO, Spanish acronym) to take the pertinent legal action.
(b) Use of annual report. — The Office of Construction shall verify if all the contractors to whom § 1020b of this title is applicable are in compliance with said provision, by comparing the contents of the report remitted by the State Insurance Fund Corporation to that of the Contractors Registry. If in said report it should appear prima facie that said provision is applicable to a contractor and that the latter is not in compliance, an investigation shall be conducted in order to determine a course of action pursuant to said chapter. The information contained in said report shall be kept in absolute confidentiality.
(c) Construction contractor. — For the purposes of this section, a “construction contractor” refers to any contractor, specialized contractor, and any natural or juridical person engaged in construction, as defined in §§ 1020a—1020f of this title.
History —Aug. 1, 1999, No. 207, §§ 1—3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 59A - Contractor’s Registry (§§ 1020a — 1020h) › § 1020h - Annual reports—Secretary of Labor and Human Resources

(a) Annual report. — The Secretary of Labor and Human Resources is hereby directed to remit to the Office of Construction of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DACO, Spanish acronym) an annual report containing the names, addresses and any pertinent information of all the entities and organizations that are registered as construction contractors in the Department. This report shall be remitted no later than December 31 following the closing of each fiscal year.
The contractor shall be notified in writing of this chapter, so that the person can proceed to be registered in the Contractor Registry if applicable. Since the application of §§ 1020a—1020f of this title, or any other legal provision, is independent regardless of the duty imposed hereby, if said notice is omitted or has any defect, it can be remedied and shall not be an impediment for the Department of Consumer Affairs (DACO, Spanish acronym) to take the pertinent legal action.
(b) Use of annual report. — The Office of Construction shall verify if all the contractors to whom § 1020b of this title is applicable are in compliance with said provision, by comparing the contents of the report remitted by the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Human Resources to that of the Contractors Registry. If in said report it should appear prima facie that said provision is applicable to a contractor and that the latter is not in compliance, an investigation shall be conducted in order to determine a course of action pursuant to said section. The information contained in said report shall be kept in absolute confidentiality.
(c) Construction contractor. — For the purposes of this section, a “construction contractor” refers to any contractor, specialized contractor, and any natural or juridical person engaged in construction [work], as defined in §§ 1020a—1020f of this title.
History —Aug. 1, 1999, No. 208, §§ 1—3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 62 - Regulation of Promotion and Marketing of Tobacco Products (§§ 1040 — 1043) › § 1040 - Definitions

(a) Cigarettes. — Means any product containing nicotine and designed to be burned or heated under normal conditions of use and which consists of or contains:
(1) Any tobacco roll wrapped in paper or in any substance or material not containing tobacco.
(2) Tobacco in any form or any tobacco roll wrapped in a substance or material containing tobacco, which due to its appearance, the kind of tobacco used as filler, its wrapping or labeling, is likely to be used, offered or bought as a cigarette.
(3) Any kind of tobacco which due to its appearance, intrinsic characteristics, packaging or labeling, is suitable for being used or bought by consumers as tobacco to make “roll your own” cigarettes.
(4) Any kind of artificial or natural flavor or aroma offered or represented to consumers as flavored cigarettes. For the purposes of this definition, 0.09 ounces of this kind of tobacco constitutes an individual cigarette.
(b) Cigars. — A roll of tobacco leaves that is lit up on one end and is sucked or smoked on the opposite end.
(c) Material that may be used to roll shredded tobacco. — Any kind of synthetic or natural material that may be used to wrap or roll any kind of shredded tobacco for manufacturing individual cigarettes, cigars or flavored cigarettes.
(d) Shredded tobacco for manufacturing cigarettes, cigars or flavored cigarettes. — Natural or synthetic tobacco preparation or any natural or synthetic vegetable matter preparation, or any mixture thereof, or a preparation of any other solid or liquid matter or substance used to manufacture cigarettes or to add artificial or natural aromas or flavors to the same.
(e) Tobacco preparation or product. — Any preparation made with the leaves of the tobacco plant that may be introduced into the human body by ingestion or inhalation.
History —Aug. 5, 1993, No. 62, added as § 2 on Sept. 16, 2004, No. 361, § 4.