reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 15 - Highway and Transportation Authority (§§ 2001 — 2035) › § 2027 - Financial and Operational Plan for the HTA and/or the ITA

(a) In general.— Within forty-five (45) days after his/her appointment, the Emergency Officer shall develop and publish on his/her website a Financial and Operational Plan for the HTA and/or the ITA, in consultation with the HTA and/or the ITA. The Emergency Officer may amend such Financial and Operational Plan from time to time as deemed necessary. Any amendment to the Financial and Operational Plan shall be published on the website as an attachment to the original Plan. Within fifteen (15) days after the Plan is published, the Emergency Officer, in conjunction with the Secretaries and/or Directors of the HTA and/or the ITA, shall hold a public information meeting to be broadcasted online to discuss the provisions of the Plan and the implementation thereof.
(b) Content.— The Financial and Operational Plan for the HTA and/or the ITA shall contain, at least, the following:
(1) A strategy to carry out the functions of the HTA and/or the ITA with the available resources in accordance with the projected revenues estimate drafted by the Emergency Office;
(2) A strategy to meet debt service requirements in accordance with the applicable terms including, but not limited to, the payment of any bonds, notes, or any other legal obligation incurred by the HTA and/or the ITA;
(3) A detailed account of the actions to be implemented on a monthly and yearly basis to restructure the finances and operations of the HTA and/or the ITA and address the Fiscal and/or Operational Emergency of said agencies;
(4) A request for proposal to be made on or before March 31 st, 2015 to reorganize the operations of the ITA and certain operations of the HTA by means of a public private partnership or franchise.
History —Jan. 15, 2015, No. 1, § 3.06.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 15 - Highway and Transportation Authority (§§ 2001 — 2035) › § 2028 - Emergency Officer Monthly Reports

(a) In general.— The Emergency Officer shall publish on his/her website, and deliver a copy to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, monthly reports on the fiscal and operational condition of the HTA and/or the ITA, and monthly reports on the proposed corrective actions to address the Fiscal and/or Operational Emergency of the HTA and/or the ITA, as well as on the implementation process thereof; such reports shall contain, at least, the following:
(1) A description of every expense incurred, approved, or rejected during the year, in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or more;
(2) A description of every financing made, approved, or rejected, exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000);
(3) A description of any new position created in the HTA and/or the ITA;
(4) A description of any vacancy in the HTA and/or the ITA that is filled during the period that the Emergency Officer is carrying out his/her functions;
(5) A description of any position eliminated or any position from which an HTA and/or ITA’s official has been removed.
History —Jan. 15, 2015, No. 1, § 3.07.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 15 - Highway and Transportation Authority (§§ 2001 — 2035) › § 2029 - Restructuring and Recovery of the HTA and/or the ITA

(a) In general.— The Emergency Officer of the HTA and/or the ITA shall cease his/her functions only when the Oversight Committee determines that the Fiscal and/or Operational Emergency of the HTA and/or the ITA has been addressed.
(b) Conditions.— The Fiscal and/or Operational Emergency of the HTA and/or the ITA shall end when the Emergency Officer complies with the following:
(1) The HTA and/or the ITA are able to operate with ninety-five percent (95%) of its own funds, for these purposes “own funds” shall include any fee-generated revenues and formula appropriations corresponding to the respective agencies. However, appropriations under the General Budget Resolution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or any other resolution shall not be considered “own funds”; or
(2) The Oversight Committee so determines by unanimity.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the minimum term during which the Emergency Officer shall carry out his/her functions shall be five (5) years.
History —Jan. 15, 2015, No. 1, § 3.08.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 15 - Highway and Transportation Authority (§§ 2001 — 2035) › § 2030 - Applicability of §§ 111 et seq. of Title 13 to the HTA and/or the ITA

The Emergency Officer may resort to the provisions of §§ 111 et seq. of Title 13, known as the “Puerto Rico Public Corporation Debt Enforcement and Recovery Act”, provided, that he/she notifies the President of the Bank in advance. In such case, the Emergency Officer shall prove that there is no viable Fiscal and Operational Plan to satisfactorily address the Fiscal and/or Operational Emergency of the HTA and/or the ITA within a reasonable period of time or that the Fiscal and Operational Plan adopted may not be effectively implemented to satisfactorily address the Emergency.
History —Jan. 15, 2015, No. 1, § 3.09.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 15 - Highway and Transportation Authority (§§ 2001 — 2035) › § 2031 - Liability

Any person acting pursuant to the provisions of §§ 2022-2034 of this title shall not be held liable in their personal capacity in any claim against the HTA and/or the ITA for actions taken as a result of the provisions of §§ 2022-2034 of this title, unless such actions are considered criminal acts or reckless disregard.
History —Jan. 15, 2015, No. 1, § 3.10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 15 - Highway and Transportation Authority (§§ 2001 — 2035) › § 2032 - Responsibilities of the Secretary or Director

(a) The Secretary or Director of the HTA and/or the ITA shall meet all the requirements of the Oversight Committee and the Emergency Officer. Failure to meet any of such requirements shall be considered reckless disregard in the performance of ministerial duties. In said case, the Oversight Committee or the Emergency Officer, as appropriate, may remove the Secretary or Director, provided that the Governor is notified within thirty (30) days in advance.
History —Jan. 15, 2015, No. 1, § 3.11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 15 - Highway and Transportation Authority (§§ 2001 — 2035) › § 2033 - HTA Public and Capital Improvements Plan

(a) The HTA shall submit within forty-five (45) days after the approval of this act to each body of the Legislative Assembly and the Governor a Public and Capital Improvements Plan for Highways, Bridges, and Thoroughfares (the “Plan”,) which shall include the following:
(1) An itemization of the projects to be developed by location, including costs.
(2) Average time frame of projects to be developed.
(b) The Legislative Assembly shall evaluate the projects contemplated in the Plan and may recommend through Joint Resolution to such effect, any necessary modifications in accordance with the public policy set forth in this Act within sixty (60) days after submitting the Plan for the Legislative Assembly’s” consideration.
(c) The Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico is hereby authorized to make an advance funding to the Highway and Transportation Authority of up to a maximum of fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) on or before April 15, 2015, to fund the public works and capital improvements contemplated in the Plan, in accordance with the terms agreed on between the Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico and the Highway and Transportation Authority. Said advance may have as its source of repayment, if sufficient, future revenues of the Highway and Transportation Authority; notwithstanding the foregoing, said advance may be assumed, by agreement between the Highway and Transportation Authority and the Infrastructure Financing Authority, by the Infrastructure Financing Authority and be considered as transferred debt, as such term is defined in § 1923 of Title 3.
History —Jan. 15, 2015, No. 1, § 3.12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 15 - Highway and Transportation Authority (§§ 2001 — 2035) › § 2034 - Transparency of the HTA

(a) The Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority shall publish on its webpage the following information:
(1) A financial statement and report of the operations of the Authority during said fiscal year;
(2) A full report of the status and progress of the use of state funds, federal funds, special appropriations, and its own revenues;
(3) An account of any finding by the Federal Government in relation to the use of federal funds.
(4) A relation between the number of employees and payroll costs, including fringe benefits;
(5) Collective bargaining agreements negotiated during the corresponding period and a report of the costs of such collective bargaining agreements;
(6) Number of miles of roads repaved per month;
(7) Per-mile cost of repaved roads;
(8) Average time to repave one mile of road;
(9) Repaving frequency of busiest roads;
(10) Ratio between toll revenues and investment in repairing toll roads administered by the HTA.
(11) Ratio between toll revenues and investment in repairing toll roads administered by private entities.
(12) Road improvement projects per year and per-mile cost of such projects;
(13) Source of financing of improvements made to roads;
(14) Evaluation of bridges in need of improvements, and repairs made to or replacement of bridges within the reported period;
(15) Source of financing of improvements made to bridges;
(16) Account of payroll expenses by operating division of the public corporation;
(17) Income and expenditures resulting from the operations of the HTA;
(18) Ratio between own income and external subsidies;
(19) Return on assets;
(20) Ratio between debt-to-capital and general expenses to payroll expenses; and
(21) Any other information deemed appropriate by the Emergency Officer to establish HTA’s accountability parameters.
(b) Such information shall be published at least once every year not later than March 15 of the following year.
History —Jan. 15, 2015, No. 1, § 3.13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 15 - Highway and Transportation Authority (§§ 2001 — 2035) › § 2035 - Surplus of Funds Allocated to the HTA and/or ITA

Any surplus of funds resulting from the administrative and/or operating savings generated by virtue of the process provided in this subchapter shall be used to pay priority obligations of the HTA and/or ITA.
Likewise, any surplus available after paying off an installment plan of the outstanding balance of any debt accrued as of December 31 st, 2014 shall be used, in its entirety, to pay the loans of the HTA and/or ITA with the GDB.
History —Jan. 15, 2015, No. 1 added § 3.15 on Jan. 15, 2012, No. 2, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 17 - Automobile Accident Social Protection (§§ 2051 — 2065) › § 2051 - Short title

This chapter shall be known as the “Automobile Accident Social Protection Act”.
History —June 26, 1968, No. 138, p. 335, § 1, eff. July 1, 1969.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 17 - Automobile Accident Social Protection (§§ 2051 — 2065) › § 2053 - Applicability; benefits

Every natural person who suffers bodily injury, sickness or death as a result thereof, as a consequence of the maintenance or use by himself or by another person of a motor vehicle as such shall be entitled to the benefits provided in this chapter. Said person shall hereinafter be known as “the victim”.
History —June 26, 1968, No. 138, p. 335, § 3, renumbered as § 3 on Oct. 30, 1975, No. 12, p. 782, § 2; July 1, 1986, No. 54, p. 185, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 17 - Automobile Accident Social Protection (§§ 2051 — 2065) › § 2053a - Beneficiaries

The following persons shall be deemed as beneficiaries of the victim with the rights and limitations established hereinbelow:
(1) The children of the victim under eighteen (18) years of age on the date of the accident.
(2) The children of the victim between the ages of eighteen (18) and twenty-one (21) who depended on the victim and were students at the moment of the accident.
(3) The husband or wife of the victim who depends thereon for his support.
(4) The parents of the victim when they depended thereon for their support because they were unable to provide for themselves and have no other means of support.
(5) Any person who depends on the victim and is unable to support himself without help therefrom.
If in the cases of beneficiaries provided in subsection (3) of this section legal spouses and persons living in a state of concubinage should occur, the benefit shall be paid to the one who proves his dependency on the victim, and if the dependency requirement occurs in both, it shall be adjudicated and divided in equal shares between both beneficiaries. Funeral expenses shall be adjudicated to the one who can prove having incurred them.
History —June 26, 1968, No. 138, p. 335, § 3; Mar. 20, 1972, No. 8, p. 16; renumbered as § 4 on Oct. 30, 1975, No. 12, p. 782, § 2; July 1, 1986, No. 54, p. 185, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 17 - Automobile Accident Social Protection (§§ 2051 — 2065) › § 2057 - Claims

(1) Every accident which gives rise to a claim for benefits under this chapter shall be notified to the Police and to the Administration.
(2) Every person entitled to claim a benefit under this chapter shall file his claim with the Administration, except in case of death benefits, within the fifteen (15) days following the date of the accident.
(3) The persons entitled to death benefits shall file their claim within one hundred twenty (120) days after the death of the victim, but in all cases the accident must have been notified to the Administration within the fifteen (15) days following the date of its occurrence.
(4) Every person entitled to claim a benefit under this chapter shall submit to the Administration within the sixty (60) days following the date of the claim, all the evidence that it may be reasonably possible to obtain in connection with the circumstances of the accident and the loss suffered and any other data or evidence, including information on plans, contracts or policies covering or that may cover the benefits provided by this chapter, as well as any other additional evidence that may be required of him.
(5) Noncompliance with the provisions of the preceding subsections may be sufficient cause for the Administration to deny the benefits provided by this chapter, unless the claimant shows to the satisfaction of the Administration that it was impossible for him to comply with the provisions hereof and that he did it as soon as the circumstances allowed.
History —June 26, 1968, No. 138, p. 335, § 7, renumbered as § 8 and amended on Oct. 30, 1975, No. 12, p. 782, § 6, eff. July 1, 1976.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 17 - Automobile Accident Social Protection (§§ 2051 — 2065) › § 2059a - Proceedings to facilitate the investigation and award of claims

When there is required the appearance of persons, their testimony or the production of any document or evidence pertinent to any proceeding or investigation under this chapter, the following provisions shall govern:
(a) Every summons, requirement or certification issued by the Executive Director or his authorized representatives, or by the Board or any of its members, or by the Secretary, shall bear the seal of the Administration or of the Board, as the case may be, and may be served at any place in the Commonwealth.
(b) When a person summoned or required in accordance with the present provisions fails to appear to testify or fails to produce or to permit the copying of the books, registries, payrolls, records or documents, as required, or when any person thus summoned refuses to answer any question in connection with any matter or investigation under consideration of the Administration, the latter may request the assistance of the Court of First Instance of Puerto Rico to compel the appearance and the testimony of such person and the production and delivery of the books, registries, payrolls, records or documents requested on the matter under consideration.
(c) Once the petition is filed with the Court of First Instance, said Court shall issue a summons requiring and ordering the person to appear and depose or to produce the evidence requested, or both. Disobedience of the order issued by the court shall be punished as contempt and the payment of costs and lawyer’s fees shall be imposed on the guilty person.
(d) Any person, except Government employees, summoned and appearing before the Board or the Administration as witness shall receive for each day of appearance a sum equal to that received by witnesses appearing before the courts of justice.
History —June 26, 1968, No. 138, p. 335, added as § 11 on Oct. 30, 1975, No. 12, p. 782, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 17 - Automobile Accident Social Protection (§§ 2051 — 2065) › § 2062 - Executive Director—Other faculties and duties

The Executive Director shall direct and supervise all technical and administrative activity of the Administration and shall appoint or shall hire with the approval of the Board of Directors the administrative and technical personnel necessary to carry out the functions of the Administration and to pay for such services the compensation that the Board may determine. The officials and employees of the Administration shall be included in the Exempt Service of the Personnel Act of the Commonwealth.
The Executive Director shall also have the following faculties and obligations:
(1) To establish an office for the Administration and to provide everything necessary for the installation of a complete and adequate system of accounting, registries and adjustment of claims.
(2) To adopt the procedures necessary to compile and keep the statistical data that may be necessary to make periodical analysis of the operation costs of the Administration and actuarial studies of its operations.
(3) To attend all meetings of the Board and to execute all the resolutions recommended by it.
(4) To certify all the necessary payments which have to be made according to the provisions of this chapter.
(5) To remit or deposit in the name of the Administration and to render accounts, according to law and with the regulations in force, of all the monies received belonging to the Administration.
(6) To prepare regulations for the approval of the Board.
(7) To make recommendations to the Board for the investment of the resources of the Administration.
(8) To prepare the annual report and to submit it to the Board for its revision and approval.
(9) Submit to the Board any report that it may request.
(10) Personally, or through the persons whom he may delegate, to administer oaths, require the appearance of persons and the production of any documents or evidence pertinent to any procedure or investigation authorized by this chapter.
History —June 26, 1968, No. 138, p. 335, § 12, renumbered as § 14 and amended on Oct. 30, 1975, No. 12, p. 782, § 12, eff. July 1, 1976.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 17 - Automobile Accident Social Protection (§§ 2051 — 2065) › § 2063 - Administration; other powers and authorities

The Administration shall have the following powers and functions, in addition to those established in this chapter:
(1) It shall have perpetual existence, may sue and be sued, and in any action in which it may intervene it shall be exempt from the payment of costs, charges and counsel fees; counsel shall be officially designated.
(2) Investigate all the phases of the problem of automobile accidents including the phases of the financial liability and of accident prevention and make the pertinent recommendations to the Governor and to the Legislature.
(3) Contract physicians, chiropractors, hospitals, clinics, laboratories and other healthcare providers to carry out the purposes of this chapter. It may also enter into agreements with the State Insurance Fund, established under the Workmen’s Accident Compensation Act, §§ 1–42 of Title 11, to use its medical-hospital facilities and with the Secretary of Health for the use of the medical-hospital facilities of the Commonwealth.
(4) Fix, annually, with the approval of the Insurance Commissioner the premium that each vehicle shall pay at the time of registering same, in accordance with the experience and the corresponding actuarial study.
(5) To acquire properties for its corporate purposes by purchase or donation, grant or bequest; to own and exercise all property rights thereon and to dispose of them in accordance with the terms and conditions that its Board of Directors may determine; as well as to borrow money or use any other facility or type of financing for the acquisition of goods that it deems necessary in the form and means the Board of Directors deems convenient.
(6) Acquire all kinds of properties in partial or full payment of debts previously contracted with the Administration, when such acquisition is necessary to diminish or avoid losses in connection with same, to retain such properties for the time it may deem convenient, to exercise thereon all property rights and to dispose of same in accordance with the terms and conditions that its Board of Directors may determine.
(7) Exercise all those incidental powers as may be necessary or convenient for the purposes of carrying out its businesses or purposes.
(8) Exercise all those corporate powers compatible with those herein set forth which are conferred by the laws of Puerto Rico to corporations and to exercise all those powers, within and without Puerto Rico in the same extent as would or may be done as a natural person.
(9) Own an official seal and alter same when it so deems convenient.
History —June 26, 1968, No. 138, p. 335, § 13, renumbered as § 15 and amended on Oct. 30, 1975, No. 12, p. 782, § 13; June 26, 1987, No. 45, p. 148, § 5; Dec. 30, 2009, No. 222, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 17 - Automobile Accident Social Protection (§§ 2051 — 2065) › § 2065 - Appropriation

The sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) is hereby appropriated from unencumbered funds in the Commonwealth Treasury to the Administration as initial capital to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The sum herein appropriated as well as the sums that may be paid to the Administration under subsection (5) of § 2064 of this title, shall be as an advance, and shall be reimbursed to the general fund as soon as the financial situation of the Administration permits it.
The Board of Directors in accordance with the Secretary of the Treasury shall determine the manner of payment. To these effects, the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized to investigate the books of the Administration while the totality of the debt has not been settled.
History —June 26, 1968, No. 138, p. 335, § 15, renumbered as § 17 on Oct. 30, 1975, No. 12, p. 782, § 15, eff. July 1, 1976.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 18 - Airbags Safety Act (§§ 2071 — 2078) › § 2071 - Definitions

The following terms have the meaning stated below:
(1) Insurer. — Any insurer authorized by the Insurance Commissioner of Puerto Rico to contract vehicle insurance in Puerto Rico.
(2) Airbag. — A system that has been installed for the protection of vehicle occupants whose main element is a bag which is filled with air during an accident thus preventing the occupants of said vehicle from colliding with its dashboard or windshield.
(3) Garage or automobile repair shop. — Any place engaged in repairing automobiles as defined in the “Puerto Rico Vehicles and Traffic Act”, §§ 5001 et seq. of this title.
(4) Vehicle. — Any means of transportation as defined in the “Puerto Rico Vehicles and Traffic Act”, §§ 5001 et seq. of this title.
History —Nov. 7, 1999, No. 325, § 2, eff. 60 days after Nov. 7, 1999.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 18 - Airbags Safety Act (§§ 2071 — 2078) › § 2072 - Insurance approval

No insurer shall pay for the replacement, installation or repair of the airbag system of a motor vehicle unless said replacement, installation or repair is in fact made and certified by a natural or juridical person duly qualified to undertake such a task according to the specifications of the manufacturer of the vehicle. To such effects the claimant shall show the insurer proof of purchase of the components to be installed, which said proof of purchase shall include the identification numbers of said components. The claimant shall furthermore provide the insurer with the parts that were substituted together with the packaging in which said components were received.
History —Nov. 7, 1999, No. 325, § 3, eff. 60 days after Nov. 7, 1999.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 18 - Airbags Safety Act (§§ 2071 — 2078) › § 2073 - Register of work performed

Any work done to the airbag system of a vehicle in a garage or automobile repair shop shall be duly described in detail in a register. Said register shall indicate the origin of the parts used and if said parts were new or previously used. The original copy of the description shall be kept by the automobile repair shop in the register and a copy thereof shall be given to the client. Provided, That the information contained in the register shall be checked by the client or by the insurance company before the vehicle is removed from the automobile repair shop.
Said register shall be kept and maintained in the repair shop, as established by the Insurance Commissioner and be made available at the request of any law enforcement officer or authorized representative of an insurance company.
History —Nov. 7, 1999, No. 325, § 4, eff. 60 days after Nov. 7, 1999.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 18 - Airbags Safety Act (§§ 2071 — 2078) › § 2074 - Information required in register

If as part of repairing the vehicle an airbag must be installed, removed or replace, the owner or person in charge of the repair shop shall include the following information in the register mentioned in § 2073 of this title:
(a) The place of origin of the airbag;
(b) the number of the motor and the license plate of the vehicle, if the airbag was extracted for another vehicle;
(c) the reason for installing the airbag;
(d) the length of coverage of the warranty, if any
(e) date on which the airbag was removed and installed, and
(f) identification numbers of the airbags removed and installed.
If the airbag was extracted from another vehicle, an authorization from the owner of the vehicle from which the airbag was extracted must be included.
History —Nov. 7, 1999, No. 325, § 5, eff. 60 days after Nov. 7, 1999.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 18 - Airbags Safety Act (§§ 2071 — 2078) › § 2075 - Inspection by insurance company

Any insurance company taking possession of a vehicle must inspect the airbag. If a particular airbag was not activated, the insurance company may, as established in this chapter, use the same in another vehicle, unless it is given to the insured party. In this case the insurance company itself shall keep a register, as established in § 2073 of this title, listing those airbags that were activated and those that were removed.
History —Nov. 7, 1999, No. 325, § 6, eff. 60 days after Nov. 7, 1999.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 18 - Airbags Safety Act (§§ 2071 — 2078) › § 2076 - Proper identification of airbag

Before any person, repair shop or insurance company acquires an airbag, it must make sure that said airbag or any part thereof is duly identified. No one, as of the date of approval of this act, may install an airbag if it lacks an identification number and a receipt certifying the origin of the equipment.
History —Nov. 7, 1999, No. 325, § 7, eff. 60 days after Nov. 7, 1999.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 18 - Airbags Safety Act (§§ 2071 — 2078) › § 2077 - Accident investigation

Whenever a law enforcement officer investigates an accident in which one (1) or more vehicles are involved, his/her report must include, besides the usual information required, whether the airbags of the vehicle or vehicles were activated.
History —Nov. 7, 1999, No. 325, § 8, eff. 60 days after Nov. 7, 1999.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 18 - Airbags Safety Act (§§ 2071 — 2078) › § 2078 - Penalties

Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall incur a misdemeanor and if convicted thereof, shall be sanctioned with a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor greater than five hundred dollars ($500). However, any person who knowingly installs or reinstalls, or who knowingly distributes or sells an airbag that is not manufactured for the brand, model and year of the vehicle being repaired and which is a part of a vehicle inflatable restraint system shall incur a misdemeanor and shall be sanctioned with the penalty of a fine of five thousand dollars ($5,000), or the penalty of imprisonment for a term which shall not exceed six (6) months and shall not be less than ninety (90) days, or both penalties, at the discretion of the court.
Moreover, any person who knowingly installs or reinstalls any object in substitution for a new airbag designed pursuant to federal safety regulations for the brand, model and year of a vehicle inflatable restraint system for a specific vehicle shall incur a misdemeanor and shall be sanctioned with the penalty of a fine of five thousand dollars ($5,000), or the penalty of imprisonment for a term of not less than ninety (90) days nor more than six (6) months, or both penalties, at the discretion of the court.
History —Nov. 7, 1999, No. 325, § 10; Sept. 16, 2004, No. 330, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 19 - Prevention of Traffic Accidents (§§ 2081-2085 — 2097) › § 2086 - Appropriation

The sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) is hereby appropriated to the Department of Transportation and Public Works from unencumbered funds in the Commonwealth Treasury to carry out a special program for the prevention of traffic accidents.
History —May 30, 1969, J.R. No. 19, p. 579, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 19 - Prevention of Traffic Accidents (§§ 2081-2085 — 2097) › § 2092 - Traffic Accident Prevention Program

(1) Authority of the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to establish a traffic accident prevention program. — In addition to the powers and faculties conferred on him by the Constitution and the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Governor is hereby empowered to enter into and negotiate the necessary agreements so that the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico may receive all the funds and benefits appertaining to it and that may be provided in the future under the provisions of Congressional Public Law No. 89-564 of 1966, known as the “Highway Safety Act of 1966”, and under any other federal law amendatory or supplementary thereof.
(2) Responsibility of the Governor to administer the Traffic Accident Prevention Program. — The Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall be responsible for administering the Traffic Accident Prevention Program carried out in accordance with this chapter. To such effect he/she shall make the necessary contacts with the federal government and shall work in coordination with it in the development of programs and activities that are carried out in accordance with the U.S. Congress Public Law No. 89-564 of 1966, and the amendatory and supplementary laws thereof. To such ends, the Governor shall coordinate the activities related with traffic accident prevention carried out by the agencies, instrumentalities, public corporations and municipalities of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The Governor may delegate all powers and duties conferred on him by this section to the Traffic Safety Commission; Provided, however, That the Governor shall always be responsible for the administration of the Program.
History —May 25, 1972, No. 33, p. 68, § 1; Aug. 21, 1990, No. 44, p. 183, § 1, retroactive to July 1, 1990.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 19 - Prevention of Traffic Accidents (§§ 2081-2085 — 2097) › § 2094 - Appropriation of funds and disposal of funds

(1) Appropriation of funds. — The Automobile Accident Compensation Administration (A.A.C.A.) shall appropriate and provide the Commission with the funds needed for its operation, it being also hereby authorized to request and accept the financial cooperation of any other program or interested institution for such purposes.
(2) Disposal of funds by the Commission. — The Commission shall prepare an annual budget that it will present to A.A.C.A. for its approval. The funds that A.A.C.A. appropriates to the Commission, as well as the funds contributed by the federal government, shall remain under the custody of A.A.C.A. in a separate account created for that purpose. The disbursements shall be made by A.A.C.A. upon a certification from the Commission to be charged to its account.
History —May 25, 1972, No. 33, p. 68, § 3; Aug. 21, 1990, No. 44, p. 183, § 3, retroactive to July 1, 1990.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 19 - Prevention of Traffic Accidents (§§ 2081-2085 — 2097) › § 2095 - Transfer of funds

The unexpended remainder of the funds previously appropriated for the operation of the Commission is hereby transferred to the Automobile Accident Compensation Administration. The Commission shall remain as a body independent from A.C.A.A., subject to the provisions of this chapter.
History —May 25, 1972, No. 33, p. 68, § 4; Aug. 21, 1990, No. 44, p. 183, § 4, retroactive to July 1, 1990.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 19 - Prevention of Traffic Accidents (§§ 2081-2085 — 2097) › § 2096 - Definitions

The terms used in §§ 2096—2096h of this title shall have the following meanings:
(a) Center. — Shall mean the inspection and orientation center located at the fire stations.
(b) Safety seat. — Shall mean a safety and protection system for children under four (4) years of age while traveling in an automobile.
(c) Child. — Shall mean any minor under four (4) years of age compelled by law to use the safety seat while traveling in an automobile.
(d) Commission. — Shall mean the Traffic Safety Commission.
(e) Firefighters Corps. — Shall mean the Puerto Rico Firefighters Corps.
(f) Executive Director. — Shall mean the Executive Director of the Traffic Safety Commission.
(g) Fire Chief. — Shall mean the Fire Chief of the Puerto Rico Firefighters Corps.
History —Aug. 28, 2003, No. 225, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 19 - Prevention of Traffic Accidents (§§ 2081-2085 — 2097) › § 2096a - Scope

Sections 2096—2096h of this title regulate the Inspection and Orientation Centers for the Correct Use of Safety Seats for Children, attached to the Firefighters Corps and the Traffic Safety Commission of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, in which firefighters certified as technicians shall be authorized to perform professional inspections of safety seats for children and provide orientation regarding their use.
History —Aug. 28, 2003, No. 225, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 19 - Prevention of Traffic Accidents (§§ 2081-2085 — 2097) › § 2096b - Implementation and administration

The Commission shall be the agency in charge of the implementation of the program and the maximum authority of the Safety Seats Program.
History —Aug. 28, 2003, No. 225, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 19 - Prevention of Traffic Accidents (§§ 2081-2085 — 2097) › § 2096c - Establishment of the centers

The centers shall be established in some of the fire stations of the Firefighters Corps, according to the need for the service and the available resources, through a coordination agreement between the Fire Chief and the Executive Director of the Commission, who shall decide which areas need the service.
History —Aug. 28, 2003, No. 225, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 19 - Prevention of Traffic Accidents (§§ 2081-2085 — 2097) › § 2096d - Assignment of resources and personnel

(a) It shall be the responsibility of the Fire Chief to furnish the necessary resources for the establishment of these centers and to select the personnel to be certified to carry out the inspection of the children’s safety seats.
History —Aug. 28, 2003, No. 225, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 19 - Prevention of Traffic Accidents (§§ 2081-2085 — 2097) › § 2096e - Training and certification of the personnel

The Executive Director of the Commission, in coordination with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and any other organization that is duly certified for these purposes shall organize and coordinate the training of the firefighters selected to perform the children’s safety seats inspections, and shall certify them as technicians in the correct use and installation of same.
History —Aug. 28, 2003, No. 225, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 19 - Prevention of Traffic Accidents (§§ 2081-2085 — 2097) › § 2096f - Orientation and training of the employees of newborn wards in hospitals

It shall be the responsibility of the Commission and the Firefighters Corps, in coordination with the Medical Emergencies Program, to orient and train the personnel deemed necessary in the newborn wards of local hospitals regarding the correct use and installation of the children’s safety seats.
History —Aug. 28, 2003, No. 225, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 19 - Prevention of Traffic Accidents (§§ 2081-2085 — 2097) › § 2096g - Publicity campaign

It shall be the responsibility of the Executive Director of the Commission to carry out a campaign for the orientation of the citizenry on the provisions of §§ 2096—2096h of this title, in coordination with the interested public and private agencies, including but not limited to, the Firefighters Corps, the Office of the First Lady, the Traffic Accident Compensation Administration, the Puerto Rico Police, the Department of Education, the Department of State, the Department of Health and the Puerto Rico Medical Emergencies Corps.
History —Aug. 28, 2003, No. 225, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 19 - Prevention of Traffic Accidents (§§ 2081-2085 — 2097) › § 2096h - Establishment of the centers

(a) The centers already operating by virtue of Executive Order No. 2001-59, as amended, shall continue to operate under the terms set forth in §§ 2096—2096h of this title.
(b) The new centers created pursuant to the provisions of §§ 2096—2096h of this title shall be established through an agreement between the Fire Chief and the Executive Director of the Commission.
History —Aug. 28, 2003, No. 225, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 19 - Prevention of Traffic Accidents (§§ 2081-2085 — 2097) › § 2097 - Alternate methods of transporation; sign

(a) To direct the Department of Transportation and Public Works to design a sign to indicate that drinking and driving do not mix and that the management of all businesses or commercial establishments shall assist in obtaining alternative safe transportation if necessary. The sign shall be written in not less than seventy-two (72) -point lettering.
(b) All persons, all businesses or commercial establishments with a license to sell and serve alcoholic beverages to be consumed within the premises shall place a sign in a visible area as designed by the Department of Transportation and Public Works.
(c) All persons, all businesses or commercial establishments with a license to sell and serve alcoholic beverages to be consumed within the premises shall assist consumers who wish to obtain alternative safe transportation if they so request. The assistance to be provided without charge to the consumer shall consist of three (3) telephone calls to persons or transportation providers.
Any person, business or commercial establishment with a license to sell and serve alcoholic beverages to be consumed within the premises that violates this section shall be subject to a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100).
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 470, §§ 1—3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 21 - Administration, Maintenance and Policing of Commonwealth Highways (§§ 2101 — 3102) › Subchapter I - Title and Definitions (§§ 2101 — 2102) › § 2101 - Short title

This chapter shall be known as the Commonwealth Highways Administration, Maintenance and Policing Act of Puerto Rico.
History —May 30, 1973, No. 54, p. 135, § 1-01, eff. 30 days after May 30, 1973.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 21 - Administration, Maintenance and Policing of Commonwealth Highways (§§ 2101 — 3102) › Subchapter I - Title and Definitions (§§ 2101 — 2102) › § 2102 - Definitions

The following terms shall have, for the purposes of this chapter, the meanings expressed below:
(a) Highway. — Any commonwealth public road for vehicular traffic constructed in accordance with any law of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or which, having been constructed by a Commonwealth or federal agency or public corporation, or by a municipality, has been legally transferred to the Department of Transportation and Public Works for its custody and maintenance. A highway is composed of the roadway zone, the walk, the right of way, as well as bridges, drainage works, signs, signals, protective barriers and all the protective structures necessary and convenient for the best vehicle traffic.
(b) Department. — Shall mean the Department of Transportation and Public Works.
(c) Walk. — Shall mean the lateral sides of a highway between the roadway zone and the ditch, or between the roadway zone and the adjacent private property where there is no ditch.
(d) Person. — Shall mean every individual, group of individuals, partnership, association, agency or public or private corporation, organization or business.
(e) Secretary. — Shall mean the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works.
(f) Right of way. — Shall mean the area of land occupied by the highway and shall include the roadway zone, walks, ditches and adjacent lands up to the boundaries with the private property.
History —May 30, 1973, No. 54, p. 135, § 1-02, eff. 30 days after May 30, 1973.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 21 - Administration, Maintenance and Policing of Commonwealth Highways (§§ 2101 — 3102) › Subchapter II - Duties of Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 2201 — 2205) › § 2201 - Administration, maintenance and policing of highways

The Department shall have charge of the administration, maintenance and policing of the highways of Puerto Rico and shall see to the best use and maintenance thereof.
History —May 30, 1973, No. 54, p. 135, § 2-01, eff. 30 days after May 30, 1973.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 21 - Administration, Maintenance and Policing of Commonwealth Highways (§§ 2101 — 3102) › Subchapter II - Duties of Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 2201 — 2205) › § 2202 - Record of highways

The Department shall, in coordination with the Highway Authority, keep a record of all the highways with the data of their geometrical characteristics and longitudes and shall prepare an official map of all the highways, which shall be periodically revised.
History —May 30, 1973, No. 54, p. 135, § 2-02, eff. 30 days after May 30, 1973.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 21 - Administration, Maintenance and Policing of Commonwealth Highways (§§ 2101 — 3102) › Subchapter II - Duties of Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 2201 — 2205) › § 2203 - Regulations

The Secretary is hereby authorized to prescribe regulations with regard to the best use and maintenance of the highways, following the basic norms of this chapter, which regulations shall have the force of law. The Secretary is also authorized to collect such fees and to require such bonds as he may deem convenient and necessary to guarantee compliance with the regulations and conditions established therein.
History —May 30, 1973, No. 54, p. 135, § 2-03, eff. 30 days after May 30, 1973.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 21 - Administration, Maintenance and Policing of Commonwealth Highways (§§ 2101 — 3102) › Subchapter II - Duties of Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 2201 — 2205) › § 2204 - Classification of highways; acquisition of lands

The Secretary shall classify all the highways existing or to be constructed in Puerto Rico, setting the minimum width for each category; Provided, That when any existing highway does not have such minimum width, the necessary land to complete it shall be acquired, when deemed necessary, by the Department, through assignment, donation, purchase or condemnation. The Department shall issue a certificate of these acquisitions so that the former owner may present it to the Department of the Treasury for the corresponding adjustment in the assessment of the remainder of its property. This power is granted to the mayors with regard to municipal roads. No department, agency, municipality or instrumentality of the government shall authorize the construction of works or buildings on lands affected by the sketches to establish the lines of future highways as established by the Official Maps adopted by the Planning Board.
History —May 30, 1973, No. 54, p. 135, § 2-04, eff. 30 days after May 30, 1973.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 21 - Administration, Maintenance and Policing of Commonwealth Highways (§§ 2101 — 3102) › Subchapter II - Duties of Department of Transportation and Public Works (§§ 2201 — 2205) › § 2205 - Limited or controlled-access highways

The Secretary is hereby authorized and empowered to designate any highway or part thereof as, or convert same to, a highway of limited or controlled accesses. As much, he may refuse the construction of direct accesses to and from any highway so converted and shall allow accesses only in places expressly designated for the purpose. He shall prescribe the requirements to establish accesses to the points designated and shall adopt the necessary measures to preserve the usefulness, integrity and use of the highways of controlled accesses.
History —May 30, 1973, No. 54, p. 135, § 2-05, eff. 30 days after May 30, 1973.