2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 37A - Multi-Sector Homeless Population Support Council (§§ 1006 — 1006h) › § 1006d - Council—Creation

The Multi-Sector Homeless Population Support Council is hereby created for the purpose of implementing and developing the public policy regarding homeless persons. The Council, together with the municipalities of Puerto Rico through the Municipal Liaison Official for Interagency Homeless Assistance, shall be responsible for coordinating and overseeing that the services are timely and effectively rendered to this population and that their rights are protected.
Council members shall be responsible for seeking and developing new options regarding services and housing which address unmet needs and which anticipate other foreseeable needs of homeless persons. Furthermore, the Council shall promote the procurement, allocation and adjudication of funds to facilitate the activities and services that this population needs, and provide orientation about their availability.
(a) The Council shall be attached to the Department of the Family, with the purpose of conducting the continuous development of public policies and the strategic planning of programs and services as established under this chapter.
(c) Members who represent the government sector shall be appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Members representing each coalition shall be submitted for the confirmation of the Governor and selected by the affirmative vote of the members of each coalition and certified by corporate resolution. The Governor shall confirm the persons nominated to represent the remaining interested sectors.
(d) Representatives from interested sectors shall hold office for a term of six (6) consecutive years or until their successors are appointed and take office.
(e) The Council may invite to its meetings and proceedings other agencies and instrumentalities of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as nonprofit private, community and faith-based institutions, the private sector in general, universities, and organizations devoted to providing services to the homeless population.
(f) The expenses of any Council member, incurred when representing the Council, shall be disbursed pursuant and in conformance with the regulations to be issued to that effect.
(g) The Council shall meet at least once (1) every two (2) months. The President may call to other meetings by giving prior notice at least five (5) calendar days in advance. Two thirds (⅔) of the members shall constitute quorum. In all determinations made by the Council, a quorum shall be constituted, and said determinations shall be approved by the affirmative vote of the majority of the Council members present. Due to the importance of the Council’s business, he/she shall ensure that all necessary efforts shall be made to adequately call all Council members to meetings, including, if necessary, the provision of adequate transportation to the representatives of the homeless who have been nominated by service organizations.
(h) The Secretary of the Department of the Family may nominate, for the approval of the Council members, the Executive Director and the personnel of the Homeless Population Program and Service Liaison and Coordination Office (the Office), described below.
(b) The Council shall be composed of a minimum of twenty-one (21) members. The members shall be:
(1) Representatives from the government sector, who shall be nine (9) members, including the Secretary of the Department of the Family; the Secretary of the Department of Housing, the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Human Resources; the Secretary of the Department of Education; the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Secretary of the Department of Health; the Administrator of the Mental Health and Drug Addiction Services Administration (ASSMCA, Spanish acronym); the Superintendent of the Police; and the Commissioner of Municipal Affairs (OCAM, Spanish acronym); or their representatives.
(2) Representatives from interested sectors, which shall be twelve (12) members:
(A) One representative for each Homeless Services Coalition; there were nine (9) coalitions at the time of introducing this Bill. Others may be instituted in the future and should be able to partake in the proceedings of the Council. Coalition members shall be active members of the coalition they represent. Coalitions may replace their representative on the following grounds: resignation, death, permanent disability, conflict of interest, questionable reputation, and/or other circumstances that the coalitions believe impede exercising this representation to serve their best interests.
(B) Two (2) representatives from among persons who have experienced homelessness, who shall be nominated by service organizations.
(C) One (1) representative from the private (entrepreneurial, commercial or industrial) sector.
(3) Council Presidency: Council members shall elect the President of said entity, who shall hold office for a three (3)-year term.
History —Sept. 27, 2007, No. 130, § 6; Oct. 2, 2009, No. 107, § 1; Dec. 10, 2010, No. 191, art. 5; renumbered as § 7 on Feb. 18, 2011, No. 8, § 2.