reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 22 - Nosocomial Infections (§§ 361 — 368) › § 362 - Powers and duties of the Secretary

The Secretary shall have those duties and powers which are necessary and convenient to carry out the purposes and provisions of this chapter, including, without it being construed as a limitation, the following:
(a) He/she shall be the official responsible for compliance with the public policy set forth in this chapter.
(b) He/she shall be the official responsible for promoting the participation of and collaboration between the public and the private sectors in the development of norms and procedures for the control of nosocomial infections.
(c) He/she shall require health facilities to render reports and registers of any kind, to be prepared pursuant to § 364 of this title.
(d) He/she shall prescribe, amend and enforce the regulations and norms on the development, establishment and execution of programs for nosocomial infection control pursuant to the parameters contained in this chapter.
(e) He/she shall conduct inspections and investigations as necessary to ensure that health facilities are fully compliant with the provisions of this chapter.
History —June 21, 2007, No. 52, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 22 - Nosocomial Infections (§§ 361 — 368) › § 363 - Obligation to notify

Any person in charge of a health facility or person or health facility shall be under the obligation to notify the Department of any case of nosocomial infection detected which occurred at a health facility of Puerto Rico within two (2) days [following] the occurrence of the same.
History —June 21, 2007, No. 52, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 22 - Nosocomial Infections (§§ 361 — 368) › § 364 - Duties and responsibilities of health facilities

All health facilities have under this chapter the following duties and responsibilities:
(a) To notify the Department of any case of nosocomial infection occurring at their facilities pursuant to the provisions of § 363 of this title.
(b) They shall be under the obligation to take the necessary measures in order to prevent or reduce the risk of acquiring nosocomial infections for patients, employees and visitors.
At the least, they shall develop norms and procedures concerning:
(1) Biomedical waste management.
(2) Isolation practices.
(3) Sterilization of supplies and equipment.
(4) Prophylactic use of antibiotics.
(5) Cleaning and disinfection of floors and surfaces.
(c) They shall be under the obligation to render a semiannual report to the Department which contains the analysis of the nosocomial infections occurred, as well as the trends found and the actions taken.
(d) They shall have available for inspection at any time by the Department, the registers and reports referred to in preceding subsections.
(e) They shall have the obligation to establish a program for nosocomial infection prevention, control and research. This program shall include a process to identify and monitor nosocomial infections not to be limited to the following:
(1) Infections relative to surgical incisions.
(2) Infections acquired in intensive care units.
(3) Infections acquired by newborns.
(4) Infections acquired by patients on mechanical ventilation; on enteral feeding; or under invasive treatments or procedures.
(5) Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant organisms.
(6) Tuberculosis.
History —June 21, 2007, No. 52, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 22 - Nosocomial Infections (§§ 361 — 368) › § 365 - Confidentiality

The information received by the Department through reports, inspections or by any other means authorized by the provisions of this chapter shall be confidential. Provided, however, That said information may be reported by the Department to any division or dependency of the government of the United States or of Puerto Rico to be used in medical statistics and research. Any entity of those mentioned above which requests information of a confidential nature shall record in writing the purpose of requesting such information; said information shall be used solely and exclusively for the purpose thus stated and said agency shall be responsible for maintaining confidentiality as to the identification of patients, physicians and health facilities.
History —June 21, 2007, No. 52, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 22 - Nosocomial Infections (§§ 361 — 368) › § 366 - Rulemaking authority

The Secretary shall promulgate and adopt, within ninety (90) days [after] the approval of this act, all those norms, rules and regulations necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
History —June 21, 2007, No. 52, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 22 - Nosocomial Infections (§§ 361 — 368) › § 367 - Penalties

The Secretary of Health is hereby empowered to impose administrative sanctions and fines on any natural or juridical person or health facility who is in violation of the provisions of this chapter or of the regulations issued thereunder or who refuses to comply with the obligations imposed by virtue of this chapter or its regulations.
History —June 21, 2007, No. 52, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 22 - Nosocomial Infections (§§ 361 — 368) › § 368 - Release from civil liability

All persons or institutions which, in compliance of the provisions of this chapter and the regulations adopted thereunder, provide information to the Department, are hereby released from any civil liability.
History —June 21, 2007, No. 52, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23 - Cancer (§§ 381-383c — 389c) › § 381–383c - Repealed. Act July 30, 2010. No. 113, art. 18, eff. July 30, 2010

History Jan. 1, 1952, No. 28, —Mar. 20, 1951, No. 28, p. 60, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1952; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23 - Cancer (§§ 381-383c — 389c) › § 382 - Report of cancer—Persons making reports; time; content [Repealed]

History —Mar. 20, 1951, No. 28, p. 60, § 2; May 13, 1953, No. 17, p. 52, § 1; July 11, 1988, No. 74, p. 325, § 1; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23 - Cancer (§§ 381-383c — 389c) › § 383 - Report of cancer—Confidential nature [Repealed]

History —Mar. 20, 1951, No. 28, p. 60, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 1952; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23 - Cancer (§§ 381-383c — 389c) › § 384 - Report of cancer—Rules and regulations [Repealed]

History —Mar. 20, 1951, No. 28, p. 60, § 4; Aug. 6, 1999, No. 217, § 1, eff. 30 days after Aug. 6, 1999; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23 - Cancer (§§ 381-383c — 389c) › § 385 - Report of cancer—Patient under no compulsion [Repealed]

History —Mar. 20, 1951, No. 28, p. 60, § 5, eff. Jan. 1, 1952; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23 - Cancer (§§ 381-383c — 389c) › § 386 - Report of cancer—Penalties [Repealed]

History —Mar. 20, 1951, No. 28, p. 60, § 6; Aug. 6, 1999, No. 217, § 2, eff. 30 days after Aug. 6, 1999; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23 - Cancer (§§ 381-383c — 389c) › § 386a - Funds [Repealed]

History —Mar. 20, 1951, No. 28, added as § 7 on Aug. 6, 1999, No. 217, § 3, eff. 30 days after Aug. 6, 1999; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23 - Cancer (§§ 381-383c — 389c) › § 386b - Guidance and diffusion campaign [Repealed]

History —Mar. 20, 1951, No. 28, added as § 8 on Aug. 6, 1999, No. 217, § 4, eff. 30 days after Aug. 6, 1999; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23 - Cancer (§§ 381-383c — 389c) › § 386c - Release from civil liability [Repealed]

History —Mar. 20, 1951, No. 28, added as § 9 on Aug. 6, 1999, No. 217, § 5, eff. 30 days after Aug. 6, 1999; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23 - Cancer (§§ 381-383c — 389c) › § 387 - Assistance in treatment of cancer in Ponce

The amount that shall be deemed necessary for assistance to the Municipality of Ponce to aid in covering the technical expenses and maintenance of the electrotherapeutic equipment for the treatment of cancer, which said municipality has already established in the Trioche Hospital of said municipality, shall be included in the general budget of expenses of the Commonwealth government, in accordance with the provisions of Title II of Act No. 213, approved May 12, 1942.
History —May 15, 1939, No. 162, p. 810, § 1; May 12, 1945, No. 245, p. 826, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23 - Cancer (§§ 381-383c — 389c) › § 388 - Assistance in treatment of cancer in Ponce—Money at disposal of Ponce

Said sum shall be placed preferentially at the disposal of the Municipality of Ponce by the Secretary of the Treasury.
History —May 15, 1939, No. 162, p. 810, § 2; May 12, 1945, No. 245, p. 826, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23 - Cancer (§§ 381-383c — 389c) › § 389 - Tax exemption

The properties belonging to the Liga Puertorriquena Contra el Cancer are hereby exempted from the payment of taxes.
History —June 23, 1958, No. 89, p. 198, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23 - Cancer (§§ 381-383c — 389c) › § 389a - Definitions

For purposes of §§ 389a-389c of this title, the words and phrases used herein shall have the following meanings:
(a) Automated blood analyzer.— Refers to a fully automated or semi-automated device used to perform complete blood counts.
(b) Hematologist-Oncologist.— Refers to a physician that specializes in hematology-oncology, and who is duly certified by the Puerto Rico Medical Licensing and Disciplinary Board.
(c) Complete blood count.— Refers to the blood test commonly known as a CBC, which provides detailed information on the different types of cells found in the blood, specifically red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
History —May 25, 2012, No. 99, § 2, eff. 90 days after May 25, 2012.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23 - Cancer (§§ 381-383c — 389c) › § 389b - Authorization to hemalogists-oncologists

Hemalogists-oncologists are hereby authorized to own and operate automated cell counters in their offices so that they can perform the complete blood counts necessary for the administration of chemotherapy exclusively to their cancer patients who are undergoing such treatment.
History —May 25, 2012, No. 99, § 3, eff. 90 days after May 25, 2012.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23 - Cancer (§§ 381-383c — 389c) › § 389c - Rulemaking authority

The Secretary of Health is hereby authorized to draft the regulations needed to govern the use and maintenance of automated cell counters so that said devices may comply with the standards provided by the Secretary for them to operate at their optimum condition. The Secretary is also directed to amend or repeal those regulations containing provisions that are inconsistent with §§ 389a-389c of this title so as to adjust the same to the provisions of §§ 389a-389c of this title.
History —May 25, 2012, No. 99, § 4, eff. 90 days after May 25, 2012.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23A - Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry Act (§§ 390 — 404) › § 390 - Powers and duties

The Registry shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) To determine the annual incidence of cancer in Puerto Rico by age group, sex, ethnicity, anatomical location, histological type, and stage of the disease. Likewise, it shall provide case distribution statistics based on the aforementioned variables.
(2) To study trends over time, as well as the incidence and mortality of different types of tumors by geographic area in Puerto Rico.
(3) To identify population groups with a higher risk of suffering the disease, and help plan and evaluate control activities for this pathology.
(4) To advance and conduct epidemiologic research and facilitate basic and clinical cancer research.
(5) To guide planning and evaluation of cancer control programs, as well as promote the disclosure of relevant epidemiologic information for cancer prevention.
(6) To maintain a database of cancer incidence and mortality information.
(7) To maintain the physical and electronic security, as well as the confidentiality of the information gathered and stored in accordance with the applicable confidentiality standards and laws.
(8) To provide decision-making support in the development of early detection and prevention strategies for all types of cancer, and assist in setting priorities for allocating health resources.
(9) To publish cancer data in such format and groupings as necessary to prevent potential identification of a particular cancer case.
(10) To maintain the necessary agreements with federal and Commonwealth agencies that regulate cancer information and data, such as the National Program of Cancer Registries created under the Federal Public Health Service Act, the National Cancer Institute, and any other national cancer surveillance regulatory agency to ensure compliance with its responsibilities.
(11) To meet the appropriate national standards on completeness, timeliness, and quality of reporting established for population-based registries.
(12) To issue a certificate of compliance to those hospital institutions, clinics, laboratories, medical offices, diagnostic centers, and radiology centers that comply with the provisions of this chapter.
(13) To submit an annual report to the Legislative Assembly on the financial status and administrative operation of the Registry, on or before June 30 of each year.
History —July 30, 2010, No. 113, art. 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23A - Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry Act (§§ 390 — 404) › § 392 - Reporting

(a) The Registry shall establish the data elements it deems necessary to guarantee compliance with its duties and responsibilities as set forth herein, as well as with federal and Commonwealth regulatory agency requirements. Said elements shall also be established to conduct epidemiologic studies aimed at researching the presence and effect of risk factors related to cancer.
(b) The Registry shall gather the following information from medical and other documents for each case of in situ or invasive cancer or benign or malignant tumors of the central nervous system:
(1) Demographic data on the age, ethnicity, and sex of the cancer patient.
(2) Data on clinical history.
(3) Administrative information, including date of diagnosis and data source.
(4) Diagnostic data and related studies.
(5) Data on the characteristic pathology of such cancer, including its location, stage, and extent.
(6) Specific data on treatment.
(7) Follow-up data.
(8) Any other information required by the Registry for statistical purposes only.
(c) Case reports shall be sent in electronic format using programs designed for reporting cancer cases which have been supplied or approved by the Registry. Likewise, entities required to report shall send such data through the means and in the medium and format that the Registry deems more appropriate to guarantee the confidentiality, safety, and integrity thereof.
(d) The Registry shall be in charge of evaluating and training the personnel designated by the entity for case reporting, and shall certify the person when he/she is qualified for reporting thereto. It shall be the responsibility of the reporting entity to designate persons with the minimum necessary qualifications, as established through regulations, to be trained for this task.
(e) The Registry shall establish the methods, criteria, and additional requirements to ensure the optimum quality of the data through training, certification, evaluation, and any other methods it deems necessary therefor.
History —July 30, 2010, No. 113, art. 5, §§ 1–5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23A - Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry Act (§§ 390 — 404) › § 393 - Penalties

(a) Every entity, person, physician, or institution that fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter or the regulations promulgated thereunder shall be sanctioned by the Registry, for the first violation, by an administrative fine of three thousand dollars ($3,000) per unreported case and, for subsequent violations, by an administrative fine of five thousand dollars ($5,000) per unreported case.
(b) The Registry shall request the suspension of any license issued by the Department of Health, for a term of not less than six (6) months, to any physician, health professional, or institution that fails to comply with subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Any entity, person, physician, or institution that fails to submit complete, accurate, and timely reports for two consecutive quarters, regardless of the reason, and has not shown progress in terms of compliance, shall allow the Registry to immediately access medical records and other documents. The Registry shall collect the data and demand the reimbursement of expenses incurred in obtaining such data, up to $100 per collected case, in addition to the corresponding fines.
(d) Any entity, person, physician, or institution that, while rendering services under §§ 7001 et seq. of this title, which creates the Puerto Rico Health Insurance Administration, fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter, shall have any payments for services rendered withheld and any future contract negotiation with the Administration shall be stayed until the data is reported to the Registry and any fines or administrative expenses imposed by the same are paid. The Registry may arrange with the Health Insurance Administration for the collection of debts on account of fines and administrative expenses set forth herein to be paid from the income that such entities, persons, physicians, or institutions would earn for services rendered.
(e) Sums collected on account of administrative fines and reimbursement of expenses incurred in gathering the data of unreported cases, as set forth in this section, shall be covered into the Special Fund of the Registry, to be used exclusively by the Registry. This Fund shall be administered by the Registry and governed by the regulations promulgated by the Registry under § 404 of this title.
(f) Any person who provides false information to the Registry shall be guilty of fourth-degree felony.
History —July 30, 2010, No. 113, art. 6, §§ 1–6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23A - Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry Act (§§ 390 — 404) › § 394 - Confidentiality

(a) Information provided to the Registry that can or may be used to identify a particular cancer patient shall be strictly confidential, and shall be used exclusively for statistical, public health, or scientific purposes.
(b) All Registry employees and researchers shall sign a confidentiality agreement whereby they shall be liable for any breach thereof. These agreements shall continue to be effective even after the employee or researcher no longer has a relationship with the Registry.
History —July 30, 2010, No. 113, art. 7, §§ 1, 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23A - Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry Act (§§ 390 — 404) › § 395 - Disclosure of information for scientific and research purposes

(a) For cancer prevention, control, and research, the Registry is hereby authorized to provide the minimum data to researchers and scientists that is necessary to answer the research question while preserving the confidentiality of both the patient and the reporting entities pursuant to the appropriate federal and Commonwealth laws.
(b) The Registry is hereby authorized to provide federal and Commonwealth entities that regulate cancer surveillance with the detailed information required for public policy and scientific research purposes after entering into a data sharing agreement pursuant to the appropriate federal and Commonwealth laws.
(c) The Registry is hereby authorized to conduct or commission other persons or organizations to conduct research on cancer risks and causes; perform cost, quality, efficacy, and relevance assessments on services and programs related to cancer prevention, diagnosis, therapy, and rehabilitation; and any other clinical, epidemiological, or cancer-related research using data of the Registry.
(d) The Registry is hereby authorized to require any privileged information deemed necessary to complete cancer case data or conduct the aforementioned research from agencies, entities, insurers, or private or public institutions through any data sharing agreement needed.
History —July 30, 2010, No. 113, art. 8, §§ 1–4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23A - Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry Act (§§ 390 — 404) › § 396 - Cancer data sharing

(1) The Registry is hereby authorized to enter into data sharing agreements for cancer patient health information, insofar as the confidentiality of the data reported and the entity's information is guaranteed. Such agreements shall be entered into with the following entities:
(a) Entities that report to the Registry reporting entities.
(b) Cancer registries in other states and territories with the purpose of obtaining cancer case data on residents of Puerto Rico who have been diagnosed and treated in facilities located in those states and territories, or to provide cancer case data of residents of those states and territories who have been diagnosed or treated in Puerto Rico.
(c) Federal and Commonwealth agencies that regulate cancer information and data for purposes of compliance with agreements to conduct data quality assessments, cancer surveillance, and scientific research.
(2) The Registry is hereby authorized to share general cancer patient data with any other cancer control agency, healthcare service provider, and any other entity deemed pertinent in order to obtain the information needed to complete the required data. All the information, interviews, reports, statements, memoranda, and other data provided by virtue of this subsection shall be deemed privileged and, therefore, confidential.
History —July 30, 2010, No. 113, art. 9, §§ 1, 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23A - Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry Act (§§ 390 — 404) › § 397 - Medical supervision or evaluation prohibited

None of the provisions of this chapter shall be construed to coerce a patient who suffers from any of the diseases listed herein into submitting him/herself to the medical supervision or evaluation of the Registry.
History —July 30, 2010, No. 113, art. 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23A - Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry Act (§§ 390 — 404) › § 398 - Official data

The official statistical data on cancer incidence in Puerto Rico shall be those published by the Registry.
History —July 30, 2010, No. 113, art. 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23A - Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry Act (§§ 390 — 404) › § 399 - Educational campaign

It shall be the responsibility of the Registry to develop an educational and awareness campaign about the importance of complying with the complete, accurate, and timely cancer case reporting and the need to meet the requirements set forth in this chapter and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
History —July 30, 2010, No. 113, art. 12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23A - Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry Act (§§ 390 — 404) › § 400 - Hold harmless provision

Any person or institution that provides information to the Registry in compliance with this chapter and the regulations promulgated thereunder is hereby held harmless from all civil and criminal liability.
History —July 30, 2010, No. 113, art. 13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23A - Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry Act (§§ 390 — 404) › § 401 - Donations

The Registry is hereby authorized to solicit, accept, and receive donations or aid as money, goods, or services in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. These resources shall be covered into the Special Fund of the Registry.
History —July 30, 2010, No. 113, art. 14.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23A - Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry Act (§§ 390 — 404) › § 402 - Funds

(a) Commonwealth funds.— The Government of Puerto Rico, through the Department of Health, shall continue guaranteeing an annual recurring appropriation of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) for the Registry's operation. This chapter does not impair the Registry from receiving or soliciting funds or aid as money, goods, or services from any instrumentality of the Government of Puerto Rico, or appropriations from the Legislative Assembly in order to continue operating. Such funds shall be covered into the Special Fund of the Registry.
(b) Funds.— The Registry may solicit, accept, and receive funds or aids as money, goods, or services from any federal government agency in order to continue operating. Such funds shall be covered into the Special Fund of the Registry.
History —July 30, 2010, No. 113, arts. 15, 16.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23A - Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry Act (§§ 390 — 404) › § 403 - Rulemaking authority

The Registry shall adopt rules and regulations as necessary to ensure full compliance with the provisions of this chapter, pursuant to the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedure Act”. The Registry shall provide a copy of such regulations to all parties required to comply with this chapter within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the approval of this act.
History —July 30, 2010, No. 113, art. 17.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 23A - Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry Act (§§ 390 — 404) › § 404 - Supplementary provisions

(a) The parties required to report cancer information and data under the herein repealed Act No. 28 of March 20, 1951, as amended, shall continue to report such information and data to the Registry through the means and in the medium and format set forth in Act No. 28, supra, until the new regulations take effect as established in this chapter.
(b) All legally-binding agreements entered into by the Registry, or by the Department of Health with regards to such Registry, under the herein repealed Act No. 28 of March 20, 1951, as amended, shall continue in effect until the term expires, insofar as they are consistent with this chapter.
(c) This chapter shall be construed and applied supplementarily to the provisions of §§ 3365 et seq. of this title, which creates the Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of Puerto Rico.
(d) None of the provisions of this chapter shall be construed to revoke or impair the powers and authorities granted by the laws that created the Department of Health and the Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of Puerto Rico, respectively.
History —July 30, 2010, No. 113, art. 19.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 26 - Comprehensive Cancer Control (§§ 417 — 427) › § 417 - Definitions

For purposes of this chapter, the phrases and terms used herein shall have the following meanings:
(a) Department.— Refers to the Department of Health created by virtue of §§ 171 et seq. of Title 3.
(b) Secretary.— Refers to the Secretary of the Department of Health.
(c) Comprehensive cancer control.— Refers to the coordinated and integrated efforts aimed at reducing incidence, morbidity, and mortality through prevention, information sharing with other public and private entities, early detection, the best available treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care.
(d) Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of Puerto Rico.— Refers to the Center created by virtue of §§ 3365 et seq. of this title. It is the entity responsible for implementing the public policy on cancer research and the rendering of clinical services and cancer treatment in Puerto Rico. For purposes of this chapter, the Comprehensive Cancer Center is considered as the bona fide agent of the Department of Health regarding the development and implementation of cancer control programs in Puerto Rico.
(e) Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry.— Refers to the Registry created by virtue of §§ 390 et seq. of this title.
(f) Evidence-based.— Health strategies that have been scientifically proven to be effective.
History —Apr. 8, 2011, No. 49, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 26 - Comprehensive Cancer Control (§§ 417 — 427) › § 418 - Duties and powers

In addition to the ministerial duties that the Secretary is required to comply with pursuant to the powers conferred to him/her by the act of the Department of Health, the following duties are entrusted to him/her as germane to the Public Policy herein established:
(a) To ensure faithful compliance with this chapter and extend the application thereof to those public policy areas that he/she deems can be improved, provided that it is consistent with the provisions of this chapter.
(b) To oversee compliance by agencies, departments, municipalities, instrumentalities, and public corporations with the implementation of the public policy set forth herein.
(c) To promote citizen participation in the development and assessment of this public policy.
(d) To adopt regulations as are necessary to achieve the purposes of this chapter.
(e) To create any committees or task forces deemed necessary and convenient, define the tasks entrusted to every committee or task force, and designate the members thereof. These persons may be officials or employees of the Department or of other agencies, municipalities, departments, corporations, public instrumentalities, or nongovernmental organizations.
(f) To develop the public policy set forth herein through culturally appropriate evidence-based strategies.
(g) To solicit any federal funds that may assist the Department in furthering or extending these policies.
(h) To collect all the data derived from the implementation of this public policy and make the same accessible to the community and to interested researchers. This data shall be of the highest available quality.
(i) To promote forums for scientific discussions and citizen participation to implement this public policy and disclose the results thereof.
(j) To execute collaboration agreements, memoranda of understanding, obligations, or contracts on behalf of the Department with community-based and nonprofit organizations, healthcare institutions, studies and research centers, healthcare providers, public instrumentalities, and the private sector to further the policies set forth in this chapter. The Secretary shall give priority to the Comprehensive Cancer Center, as its bona fide agent in cancer control, when establishing collaboration agreements, memoranda of understanding, obligations, or contracts to achieve the objectives of this chapter.
History —Apr. 8, 2011, No. 49, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 26 - Comprehensive Cancer Control (§§ 417 — 427) › § 420 - Declaration of public policy—Screening and early detection

Early detection of cancer refers to the application of strategies to determine when pre-cancerous or cancerous cells are present in an individual before he/she has any symptoms. It shall be the public policy of the Government of Puerto Rico to contribute to early cancer detection by means of screening tests so that individuals can seek treatment in the early stages of the disease, and thus reduce cancer mortality, by complying with the following policies:
(a) To develop, implement, disseminate, and evaluate early detection programs for the control of colorectal, prostate, breast, cervical, oral, and any other type of cancer whose early detection is possible and cost-effective. The main focus of these programs should be to assist populations with a high risk of developing cancer.
(b) To develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-based promotional mechanisms on the benefits of early cancer detection that are culturally appropriate for the people of Puerto Rico.
(c) To raise people’s awareness of the recommended ages for early cancer detection screening in accordance with the guidelines established by the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force.
(d) To establish mechanisms in order for healthcare providers to have a better understanding and be able to provide patients with adequate orientation, in accordance with the best early cancer detection recommendations applicable to the medical practice. This includes, but is not limited to effective communication with the patient, an early cancer detection reminder system, health plan and health insurance plan reimbursement methods, and the promotion of professional education courses and training in this field.
(e) To promote the inclusion of early cancer detection tests in private health plan and health insurance coverage.
(f) To optimize the use of early cancer detection tests among Health Reform beneficiaries, in accordance with the best clinical recommendations applicable to the medical practice.
(g) To encourage hospitals, clinical laboratories, and any health center, clinic, or medical office where early cancer detection tests are performed to incorporate the technological advances and developments of this field.
(h) To monitor facilities where early cancer detection tests are performed to ensure that the quality standards that govern the medical practice are met, that patient confidentiality is protected, and that patients receive the most courteous treatment possible.
(i) To guarantee an adequate geographic distribution of the locations were early cancer detection tests are performed so that every person can conveniently access them.
(j) To promote the use of genetic testing and the coverage thereof by health insurance and health plans, so that everyone can learn about their genetic predisposition to cancer and raise people’s awareness of the importance of early detection.
History —Apr. 8, 2011, No. 49, § 5.2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 26 - Comprehensive Cancer Control (§§ 417 — 427) › § 421 - Declaration of public policy—Diagnosis and treatment

Both, a correct diagnosis and treatment of the highest quality are essential for a patient to recover, as well as to increase his/her life expectancy. It shall be the public policy of the Government of Puerto Rico to promote cancer treatment of the highest quality, and thus reduce cancer mortality, by complying with the following policies:
(a) To increase the access and quality of the information related to diagnosis and treatment that is available to patients and their relatives. This information shall include, but not be limited to a directory of health facilities, clinics, and health care providers that offer cancer treatment according to the geographical region and the type of tumor for which they provide treatment. The information shall be written in a simple and easy to understand language for the general population.
(b) To promote any evidence-based mechanisms to reduce the length of time that elapses from the moment the patient learns about the results of the diagnosis to when he/she receives treatment.
(c) To collaborate with the Comprehensive Cancer Control Center of the University of Puerto Rico in the implementation of the public policy that said center is required to draft under its enabling Act.
(d) To ensure that every cancer patient receives the best available treatment; this means that such treatment must be evidence-based, have patient recovery as its main purpose, be responsive to such patient’s needs, and allow for well-informed decision-making.
(e) To promote and collaborate so that treatment hospitals and centers obtain the certification and accreditation from the pertinent local and federal agencies in order to be classified as specialized institutions in cancer treatment.
(f) To foster any evidence-based mechanisms to improve patient navigation between different specialized physicians and medical institutions.
(g) To promote the participation of cancer patients in clinical trials through direct information to the patient, by encouraging health professionals to suggest it to their patients, by increasing health coverage for these trials in health insurance and health plans, and by providing for the creation of a favorable research environment for this type of activity in Puerto Rico.
(h) To ensure adequate planning throughout the Island in order to achieve a coordinated and comprehensive cancer treatment system.
History —Apr. 8, 2011, No. 49, § 5.3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 26 - Comprehensive Cancer Control (§§ 417 — 427) › § 422 - Declaration of public policy—Rehabilitation, survivorship, and palliative care

The rehabilitation and survival of a cancer patient is the main objective of early detection and treatment: to allow any human being who has suffered from cancer to live life to the fullest by minimizing any potential physical and emotional disabilities that this disease could have caused. This approach should address components such as physical, emotional, and mental health, as well as reasonable accommodation and financial needs. It shall be the public policy of the Government of Puerto Rico to promote cancer rehabilitation and survivorship by complying with the following policies:
(a) To foster further recognition of the rights that protect cancer survivors among by survivor’s relatives, healthcare providers, researchers, the general public, and even survivors themselves. This includes the adoption of a definition of cancer survivor.
(b) To identify the needs of survivors during and after treatment in order to provide them with the best comprehensive care for any physical, mental, and emotional health conditions, as well as any other needs.
(c) To ensure that every cancer survivor receives services of the highest quality available for his/her recovery in a timely manner and with the greatest compassion and sensibility towards their condition.
(d) To promote the development of multidisciplinary teams, which shall include health care providers, oncology nurses, social workers, and spiritual counselors to address the survivor’s needs.
(e) To promote the use of complementary medicine during the survivor’s recovery process.
(f) To guarantee the best palliative care available for survivors and their participation in the decision-making process on this matter.
(g) To promote strategies in order for survivors to actively participate in activities for the development and implementation of any public policy that benefits or affects them.
(h) To guarantee the availability of care centers that provide services to terminal cancer patients and that the same have advance directive protocols.
History —Apr. 8, 2011, No. 49, § 5.4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 26 - Comprehensive Cancer Control (§§ 417 — 427) › § 423 - Declaration of public policy—Data and epidemiological surveillance

Epidemiological surveillance and the collection of data of the highest quality is essential not only for making decisions regarding public policy, but also for developing research proposals that shall, in turn, facilitate the award of federal grants to Puerto Rico. The Central Cancer Registry, which is charged with collecting cancer information in Puerto Rico, is the main instrument used to measure and assess cancer prevention and control strategies in the Island. Its development and maintenance are indispensable to obtain the purposes of this chapter. It shall be the public policy of the Government of Puerto Rico to promote cancer epidemiological surveillance by complying with the following policies:
(a) To ensure the strict compliance with the Central Cancer Registry Act, which requires reporting all information on cancer, as provided in said act.
(b) To ensure that the Registry has the financial and human resources to comply with its responsibilities.
(c) To promote and support any other epidemiological surveillance program that contributes to a better understanding of the cancer situation in Puerto Rico.
(d) To promote the use of Registry’s data, as well as data collected by the Department of Health, for planning Puerto Rico’s health system.
History —Apr. 8, 2011, No. 49, § 5.5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 26 - Comprehensive Cancer Control (§§ 417 — 427) › § 424 - Declaration of public policy—Research and training

Scientific research pursues the reduction of cancer incidence and mortality, since it contributes to a better understanding of cancer, innovations in existing treatments, and the creation of new ones. Furthermore, training of healthcare professionals specialized in cancer ensures that we shall have the workforce necessary to address the medical needs of patients and conduct research. It shall be the public policy of the Government of Puerto Rico to promote research and the training of healthcare professionals specialized in cancer by complying with the following principles:
(a) To collaborate with the Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of Puerto Rico in the development of a research agenda to achieve the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan of Puerto Rico.
(b) To develop economic incentive proposals together with the Department of the Treasury to retain and attract new health care professionals in the field of oncology in order to provide medical services and to develop research on population, basic science, and clinical trials in Puerto Rico. This includes oncologists, oncology nurses, epidemiologists, researchers, health educators, and any other health care professional needed to achieve the objectives of this section.
(c) To promote research using data from the Health Reform and the Central Cancer Registry.
(d) To facilitate data collection and sharing between centers, entities, and similar organizations in order to attain the objectives of this chapter.
History —Apr. 8, 2011, No. 49, § 5.6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 26 - Comprehensive Cancer Control (§§ 417 — 427) › § 425 - Interpretation of this public policy

This chapter shall be construed as a public policy to be progressively developed rather than being immediately complied with regards to those activities that the Department has yet to carry out due to financial constraints. However, the Department is required to show reasonable and progressive efforts, according to financial and human resources, to comply with this chapter. The Department may demonstrate its reasonable and progressive efforts by executing collaboration agreements, memoranda of understanding, obligations, or contracts with the Comprehensive Cancer Center as its main collaborator.
History —Apr. 8, 2011, No. 49, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 26 - Comprehensive Cancer Control (§§ 417 — 427) › § 426 - Annual report to the Governor and the Legislative Assembly

The Secretary, in collaboration with the Comprehensive Cancer Center, shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislative Assembly on the activities conducted and the progress achieved to attain the purposes of this chapter. This report may be submitted together with or enclosed with the general report that the Department is required to submit by virtue of its Organic Act.
History —Apr. 8, 2011, No. 49, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART II - Disease Control (§§ 351 — 697) › Chapter 26 - Comprehensive Cancer Control (§§ 417 — 427) › § 427 - Supplementarity of legal provisions

(a) To the maximum extent possible, it is hereby directed that all public policies, programs, plans, laws, rules and regulations, and executive orders in effect or to take effect in the future shall be construed, implemented, and administered in strict compliance with the public policy set forth in this chapter.
(b) The interpretation and application of the public policy and other provisions of this chapter shall be supplementary to the public policies and other provisions of law of the Department of Health, the Central Cancer Registry Act, and the Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of Puerto Rico.
(c) None of the provisions of this chapter shall be construed to revoke or impair the authority and powers granted by the enabling Acts of the Department of Health, the Central Cancer Registry Act, the Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of Puerto Rico, and other agencies, departments, municipalities, corporations, and public instrumentalities, respectively.
(d) This chapter does not revoke any collaboration agreement, memoranda of understanding, obligations, or contracts entered into by the Department and any other public or private entity with respect to comprehensive cancer control prior to the approval of this act.
History —Apr. 8, 2011, No. 49, § 8.