reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 24A - Office of the Disabled Persons Investigating Official (§§ 532 — 532q) › § 532b - Creation

The Office of the Disabled Person Investigating Official is hereby created as a juridical entity, independent and separate from any other public agency or entity and in addition to other functions provided in this chapter, it shall be responsible for serving as a coordinating instrument to attend to and make feasible the solution of the problems, needs and claims of disabled persons in the areas of education, health, employment and free business or entrepreneurial activity, civil and political rights, social, labor and tax legislation, housing, transportation, recreation and culture, among others. It shall likewise be responsible for establishing and executing a program for the assistance, orientation and counseling of disabled persons. It shall also promote the integration of the persons with physical, mental or sensory disabilities into environmental conservation, education and preservation programs to be instituted at the agencies and instrumentalities of the Government of Puerto Rico.
History —Sept. 27, 1985, No. 2, p. 816, § 3; Aug. 30, 1999, No. 298, § 2; Jan. 5, 2002, No. 9, § 1; Nov. 14, 2006, No. 247, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 24A - Office of the Disabled Persons Investigating Official (§§ 532 — 532q) › § 532b-1 - Appointment of Investigating Official and Deputy Investigator

(a) The Office shall be directed by an Investigating Official appointed by the Governor of Puerto Rico with the advice and consent of the Senate of Puerto Rico for a term of ten (10) years until his/her successor is appointed and takes office.
The Governor shall fix his salary or remuneration in accordance with the established norms of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for offices of a like or similar nature. The Investigating Official shall be a person of legal age, of recognized competence and moral integrity, and knowledgeable in matters proper to persons with disabilities. He may avail himself of the benefits of §§ 761 et seq. of this title, which establishes the Employees Retirement System of the Government of Puerto Rico and its dependencies or government entities.
Furthermore, the person appointed to the office of Investigating Official shall have been domiciled in Puerto Rico for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the date of his appointment. No person who has held an elective or executive office that requires confirmation by the Senate of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, may be appointed during the term for which he was elected or designated to the office of Disabled Persons Investigating Official.
The Governor, upon prior notice and hearing, may declare the office of the Disabled Persons Investigating Official vacant, due to negligence in the performance of his duties, or failure to comply with his duties or for misconduct in office. Crimes against public office, public treasury and felonies, or any misdemeanor that involves moral turpitude shall be cause for removal from office.
(b) The investigating official may appoint a deputy investigator and delegate [to] him any of the functions provided in this chapter, except those established in subsection (c) of § 532f of this title. The person appointed as deputy investigator shall meet all the requirements established in this chapter for the Office of the Investigating Official.
History —Sept. 27, 1985, No. 2 p. 816, added as § 4 on Aug. 30, 1999, No. 298, § 3; Jan. 5, 2002, No. 9, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 24A - Office of the Disabled Persons Investigating Official (§§ 532 — 532q) › § 532b-2 - Vacancy

Should the Office of the Disabled Persons Investigating Official become vacant due to illness, disability, temporary absence or any other reason, the deputy investigator designated under § 532b-1 of this title, shall assume all his functions, duties and powers until the successor is designated and takes office.
History —Sept. 27, 1985, No. 2, p. 816, added as § 5 on Aug. 30, 1999, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 24A - Office of the Disabled Persons Investigating Official (§§ 532 — 532q) › § 532b-3 - Office personnel and delegation of functions

The investigating official may delegate [to] his/her Deputy or in any other official he or she designates to that effect, any of the functions provided for in this chapter, except those related to the adoption and promulgation of rules and regulations and the power to appoint and remove personnel.
History —Sept. 27, 1985, No. 2, p. 816, added as § 6 on Aug. 30, 1998, No. 298, § 3; July 12, 2002, No. 102, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 24A - Office of the Disabled Persons Investigating Official (§§ 532 — 532q) › § 532c - Advisory Council—Creation and members

The Governor shall appoint an Advisory Council composed of nine (9) members to advise the Office of the Disabled Persons Investigating Official with regard to the implementation of this chapter. This Council shall be composed of the Disabled Persons Investigating Official, who shall be its ex officio chairman, one representative of the disabled persons, one representative of the parents of disabled children, one legal counselor with expertise in the field of disabled persons’ rights, one vocational rehabilitation professional, one special education professional, one health professional and two (2) persons committed to comply with the principles expressed in this chapter.
When this act becomes effective, three (3) council members shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years, three (3) members for a term of three (3) years, and two (2) members for a term of two (2) years. Upon expiration of these initial terms the appointments shall be made for 4-year terms.
The Council shall meet as often as it is called by the Investigating Official, but never less than four (4) times a year. Quorum shall be constituted by more than half of its members.
History —Sept. 27, 1985, No. 2, p. 816, § 4, renumbered as § 7 on Aug. 30, 1999, No. 298, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 24A - Office of the Disabled Persons Investigating Official (§§ 532 — 532q) › § 532d - Advisory Council—Functions

The Advisory Council shall have the following duties and responsibilities with regard to the provisions of this chapter:
(a) To advise and counsel the Investigating Official’s Office regarding the norms that affect the implementation and administration of this chapter.
(b) To make recommendations regarding regulations and norms authorized by this chapter, prior to their promulgation by the Office.
(c) To perform the functions delegated on it by the Investigating Official.
History —Sept. 27, 1985, No. 2, p. 816, § 5, renumbered as § 8 on Aug. 30, 1999, No. 298, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 24A - Office of the Disabled Persons Investigating Official (§§ 532 — 532q) › § 532g - Investigating official—Power to investigate

The investigating official may exercise all the powers, prerogatives and functions that are necessary and convenient to ensure compliance of the statutes and regulations that provide assistance and protection of the human and legal rights of disabled persons. To such purposes, the investigating official may consider, investigate, process and adjudicate petitions and complaints filed by persons with disabilities, their parents or guardians against public or private entities receiving federal or Commonwealth funds for the benefit of persons with disabilities.
The investigating official shall likewise enforce the provisions of §§ 501 et seq. of Title 1, which forbids discrimination against disabled persons in public agencies and private entities. In the performance of this function, he may consider, investigate, process and adjudicate petitions and complaints as established in Section 12 of this Act in those cases in which any public agency or private entity discriminates against a person with disabilities.
History —Sept. 27, 1985, No. 2, p. 816, § 8, renumbered as § 11 and amended on Aug. 30, 1999, No. 298, § 5; July 30, 2007, No. 88, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 24A - Office of the Disabled Persons Investigating Official (§§ 532 — 532q) › § 532h - Power to investigate and adjudication procedures

In the exercise of the powers, prerogatives and duties conferred upon him by § 532g of this title, the investigating official may:
(a) Perform investigations and obtain pertinent information with regard to the complaints he is investigating.
(b) Conduct administrative hearings and mediation meetings. The hearings held before the investigating official shall be public but when the public interest justifies it, they may be private.
(c) Inspect the records, inventories, documents and physical facilities of public agencies or private entities, subject to the provisions of this chapter and the other acts under his administration and jurisdiction which may be pertinent to any investigation or complaint under his consideration.
No natural or juridical person may refuse to obey a summons issued by the investigating official or his authorized representative, nor may refuse to reproduce the evidence which has been required of him/her, nor may refuse to answer any question with regard to any matter being investigated by the investigating official, nor may deny entry to the officials of the Office into any structure or building under its/his/her control when the purpose is the inspection of such facilities or of documents kept therein.
(d) For the purposes provided [in] § 532g(a) of this title for and in representation of the disabled persons who qualify [thereunder] for benefits under the pertinent federal or state laws or regulations, appear before any forum, state [or] federal court, board or commission, administrative body, department, office or agency of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in any hearing, proceeding, or matter that affects or may affect the interests, rights and prerogatives of these persons.
(e) File any legal recourse or remedy in effect, per se or in representation of the disabled persons whose benefit and protection are contemplated in the state or federal laws, against any public agency or private entity to defend, protect and safeguard the interests, rights and prerogatives of these persons.
The investigating official shall establish through regulations the procedures to be followed in all adjudication procedures and shall grant due process of law to the defendant. The power to adjudicate conferred to the investigating official shall be implemented pursuant to the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of this title, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedures Act”.
History —Sept. 27, 1985, No. 2, p. 816, § 9, renumbered as § 12 and amended on Aug. 30, 1999, No. 298, § 6; July 30, 2007, No. 88, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 24A - Office of the Disabled Persons Investigating Official (§§ 532 — 532q) › § 532i - Processing of petitions and complaints

Every petition or complaint filed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be processed in the manner established through regulations.
History —Sept. 27, 1985, No. 2, p. 816, § 10, renumbered as § 13 and amended on Aug. 30, 1999, No. 298, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 24A - Office of the Disabled Persons Investigating Official (§§ 532 — 532q) › § 532j - Processing of petitions and complaints—Investigation

Notwithstanding the provisions of § 532g of this title, the Investigating Official shall not investigate those complaints which, in his judgment:
(a) Refer at any matter outside of his jurisdiction.
(b) Are frivolous or have been filed in bad faith.
(c) The complainant voluntarily desists from continuing the procedures of the complaint filed.
(d) The complainant is not qualified to file the complaint.
(e) The complaint is being investigated by another agency and, in the Investigating Official’s judgment, it would be a duplication of efforts to act on it.
(f) The action filed by the complainant or petitioner has prescribed and there are no other grounds to grant the requested remedy.
In those cases in which the petition or complaint filed by the disabled person, his/her parents or tutor, does not present any controversy that can be adjudicated or refers to some matter outside of the jurisdiction of the Office, the Investigating Official shall advise the complainant with regard to its solution or shall refer it to the pertinent agency.
Provided, That the Investigating Official, on his own initiative, may perform whatever investigations he/she deems pertinent, if in his/her judgment there are sufficient reasons to justify an investigation according to what is provided in § 532g of this title.
History —Sept. 27, 1985, No. 2, p. 816, § 11, renumbered as § 14 and amended on Aug. 30, 1999, No. 298, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 24A - Office of the Disabled Persons Investigating Official (§§ 532 — 532q) › § 532k - Processing of petitions and complaints—Examiners, decisions

In the exercise of the adjudicative powers conferred upon him/her in § 532g of this title, the investigating official may designate examiners to preside over the administrative hearings that are conducted.
The designated examiner shall render a report to the investigating official, which shall contain an account of the facts with his/her conclusions and recommendations, and the Investigating Official shall issue a decision on the complaint under his/her consideration within the terms established in §§ 2101 of this title, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedures Act of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico”, for these matters.
History —Sept. 27, 1985, No. 2, p. 816, § 12, renumbered as § 15 and amended on Aug. 30, 1999, No. 298, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 24A - Office of the Disabled Persons Investigating Official (§§ 532 — 532q) › § 532l - Processing of petitions and complaints—Reconsideration of decisions; judicial review

Any party which is adversely affected by a decision, determination, order or resolution of the investigating official, issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or of any other statute or regulation under his/her jurisdiction, may appeal for a reconsideration and the investigating official shall decide or resolve it under the applicable terms and procedures provided in §§ 2101 of this title, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedures Act of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico”.
Any party that is adversely affected by a decision, determination, order or resolution of the investigating official, in reconsideration, may request a judicial review pursuant to the provisions of §§ 2101 of this title, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedures of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico”. In this case, the decision of the investigating official shall remain in full force until a decision by the pertinent court of review is issued revoking or modifying the same.
History —Sept. 27, 1985, No. 2, p. 816, § 13, renumbered as § 16 and amended on Aug. 30, 1999, No. 298, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 24A - Office of the Disabled Persons Investigating Official (§§ 532 — 532q) › § 532n - Exemption from fees, duties and stamps

The Office shall not require the payment of any amount, fee or duty by any disabled persons, their parents or tutors, for the filing, handling or investigation of any complaint or matter under its jurisdiction, or for services rendered for assistance, orientation and counsel on the programs, services and benefits to which disabled persons are entitled, or for advising them on the resources, mechanisms, requirements, means or procedures to obtain, participate in, or benefit from them, or to assert their rights.
The Office is exempted from cancelling stamps, fees or duties for the filing or handling of any document, action or proceeding before the courts or public agencies of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —Sept. 27, 1985, No. 2, p. 816, § 15, renumbered as § 17 on Aug. 30, 1999, No. 198, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 24A - Office of the Disabled Persons Investigating Official (§§ 532 — 532q) › § 532o - Obligations of the agencies regarding the Office

For the purposes of § 532e(f) of this title, every public agency that offers, gives, administers or has jurisdiction over any procedures, programs, funds, activities, benefits or services for disabled persons, shall remit to the Office, which shall have the right to require that it be furnished not less than five (5) copies of the regulations, norms, executive orders, decisions, opinions, procedure or service handbooks, which govern matters regarding disabled persons under local and federal laws. Public agencies shall comply with what is provided herein, within thirty (30) days following the date the Office commences operations. Subsequently, and in every case that norms, rules, or procedures are approved, or amended, modified or repealed, or new requirements are established, or the services or benefits offered by public agencies are extended, eliminated or modified, they shall send to the Office at least five (5) copies of these changes, amendments or modifications, as the case may be, within fifteen (15) days following the date said action is taken.
Those public agencies of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and private entities that offer evaluation, diagnosis, assistance, treatment, rehabilitation, education and employment services to disabled persons shall notify the Office, from time to time, and at least once a year, on their compliance with federal and Commonwealth laws that guarantee the rights of the disabled population and their systematic plan for continuity of services. They shall likewise notify the Office about the persons who have been physically, mentally and occupationally rehabilitated, those who have completed their studies or have been trained for employment, or those who to their knowledge, have entered the labor market, so that the Office may keep and update the information and statistical data required under subsection (e) of § 532e of this title.
Said agencies and private entities shall also meet with the Office at least every six (6) months to coordinate, develop, evaluate, modify and implement the action plan of each agency to ensure, effectively carry out and provide continuity to the rendering of services to persons with disabilities.
History —Sept. 27, 1985, No. 2, p. 816, § 16, renumbered as § 18 and amended on Aug. 30, 1999, No. 298, § 12; July 30, 2007, No. 88, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 24A - Office of the Disabled Persons Investigating Official (§§ 532 — 532q) › § 532p - Agencies—Collaboration of public agencies

In order to achieve the purposes of this chapter, the investigating official may request the services, facilities and personnel of any public agency, which may provide or [offer] them. Provided, That any official or employee of a public agency who is temporarily transferred to the Office by virtue of the provisions of this section, shall retain all the rights, benefits, classification, and position he/she holds in the public agency in question.
The investigating official may likewise request that any agency carry out any study or investigation he/she deems necessary to comply with the purposes of this chapter.
Furthermore, in order to achieve the purposes of this chapter, the investigating official may request that any government agencies and dependencies create interagency task forces, if deemed necessary.
History —Sept. 27, 1985, No. 2, p. 816, § 17, renumbered as § 19 and amended on Aug. 30, 1999, No. 298, § 13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 24A - Office of the Disabled Persons Investigating Official (§§ 532 — 532q) › § 532q - Penalties

(a) The investigating official is hereby empowered to request that the Office of Management and Budget deny approval to the budget of any public agency that has a specific responsibility in accordance with §§ 1351 et seq. of Title 18, better known as the “Integral Educational Services for Persons with Disabilities Act”, that does not include an item [in] its budget to comply with its obligations. He/She is further empowered to impose administrative fines upon due notice and hearing, according and up to the amounts provided in §§ 501—509 of Title 1, §§ 2101 et seq. of this title, and any other act that authorizes it.
(b) Any person who willfully and maliciously impedes or obstructs the performance of the functions of the investigating of ficial or those of his/her office personnel, or submits false information knowingly, shall incur a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be punished with a fine that shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500), or imprisonment for a maximum term of six (6) months, or both penalties, at the discretion of the court. When the impediment or obstruction referred to above, is caused by intimidation, force or violence, said action shall constitute a felony and upon conviction, the person shall be subject to the penalties established in § 3045 of Title 33.
History —Sept. 27, 1985, No. 2, p. 816, § 18, renumbered as § 20 and amended on Aug. 30, 1999, No. 298, § 14; July 30, 2007, No. 88, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 541 - Appointment of officers

Every officer, the mode of whose appointment is not prescribed by the Constitution of the Commonwealth, or the laws of Puerto Rico, shall be appointed by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 167.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 542 - Appointment of officers—Concurrence by Senate

Whenever the Senate concurs in a nomination, the clerk thereof shall immediately deliver a copy of the concurrence certified by the president and clerk to the Secretary of State, and another copy certified by the clerk to the Governor.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 168.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 544 - Appointment of officers—Commissions by Governor

The Governor shall commission:
(a) All officers elected by the people, whose commissions are not otherwise provided for.
(b) All officers appointed by the Governor, or by the Governor with the consent of the Senate.
(c) The Resident Commissioner in Washington.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 170.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 545 - Appointment of officers—Form of commissions

The commissions of all officers commissioned by the Governor shall be issued in the name of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and must be signed by the Governor and attested by the Secretary of State under the great seal.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 171.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 546 - Assistants to serve in case of death, resignation or removal

In case of the death, resignation or removal of the head of any department, office or bureau of the Commonwealth government, or his disability or temporary absence, the assistant or deputy of such department, office or bureau, shall, unless otherwise provided by law, perform the duties of such principal officer until his successor shall have been appointed, qualified and entered upon the duties of the office, or until such disability or absence shall cease.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 172.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 547 - Assistants to serve in case of death, resignation or removal—Substitutes for assistants

In every case where neither the principal nor the assistant or deputy of any department, office or bureau of the Commonwealth government can perform the duties thereof, by reason of death, resignation, removal, disability or temporary absence, the Governor may, in his discretion, and with the approval of the Senate, authorize and direct the head of any other department, office or bureau, to perform the duties of such office until a successor is appointed or the disability or temporary absence shall cease.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 173.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 548 - Assistants to serve in case of death, resignation or removal—Compensation for substitutes

No officer performing the duties of another office, as authorized and provided in § 547 of this title and no assistant or deputy performing the duties of the principal officer, during a vacancy in the office, or during the disability or temporary absence of the principal officer, shall be, by reason thereof, entitled to any other compensation than that attached to his proper office.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 174.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 549 - Compensation for extra service

No money shall be paid to any clerk employed in any department, office of bureau of the Commonwealth government at an annual salary, as compensation for extra services, unless expressly authorized by law.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 175.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 550 - Compensation for discharging duties of another

No allowance or compensation shall be made to any officer or clerk, by reason of the discharge of duties which belong to any other officer or clerk in the same or any other department, office or bureau of the Commonwealth government; and no allowance or compensation shall be made for any extra services whatever, which any officer or clerk may be required to perform, unless expressly authorized by law.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 176.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 552 - Rules and regulations for departments

The head of each department under the Commonwealth government is authorized to prescribe regulations, not inconsistent with law, for the government of his department, the conduct of its officers and clerks, the distribution and performance of its business, and the custody, use and preservation of the records, papers and property pertaining to it.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 178.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 553 - Seals for executive departments

Each of the executive departments except that of the Secretary of State shall have and keep an official seal, which shall be such as the head of department shall prescribe; Provided, however, That such seal shall contain representations different from those found on the great seal. An impression of the seal of each executive department must be filed in the Department of State.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 184.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 554 - Trade in evidences of governmental indebtedness prohibited

All officers or employees of the Commonwealth Government, or of any municipality, board, commission, or other dependency thereof, are prohibited from purchasing or selling, or in any other manner receiving for their own benefit or use, or for the use or benefit of any person or persons whatever, any warrants, scripts, orders, demands, claims, or other evidences of indebtedness issued to or held by them for public services rendered by them, or evidences of the funded indebtedness of Puerto Rico, or of any municipality, board, commission or other dependency thereof; Provided, That the provisions of this section shall not be construed to prevent the receipt and use by, or on behalf of, any officer or employee of any amounts legally due such officer or employee for compensation or expenses, in whatever form such amounts may be paid.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 205; Aug. 2, 1913, No. 124, p. 18, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 555 - Resignations, form and manner of making

Resignations from office must be in writing and made as follows:
(1) By all officers appointed by the Governor, addressed to the Governor.
(2) By all the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate of Puerto Rico, whether the Legislature is in session or not, addressed to the Presiding Officer of the Legislative Chamber to which the resigning legislator belongs, through the Office of the Secretary or the Clerk. Regardless of the date of effectiveness of the resignation, it shall be final and binding after fifteen (15) days have elapsed since the date the resignation was tendered without being withdrawn. Once said fifteen (15) days have elapsed, the central directive body of the party entitled to fill the vacancy shall notify the appointment of the substitute to the presiding officer of the corresponding Legislative Chamber. Said term shall be terminal and nondeferrable. Thus, it shall not be extended into the next working day when the last day falls on a holiday. For such purposes, the corresponding Chamber shall make the necessary provisions to guarantee the full fifteen (15)-day term to the legislator that has tendered a letter of resignation to withdraw the same.
(3) By all municipal employees not appointed by the Governor, addressed to the municipal corporation of the respective municipality, except mayors, whose resignations shall be tendered to the Governor.
(4) By all other appointed officers, addressed to the body or officer who appointed them.
(5) In all cases not otherwise provided for, addressed to the Governor.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 207; June 20, 1956, No. 73, p. 326; Sept. 15, 2004, No. 287, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 556 - Vacancies; how they occur

An office becomes vacant on the happening of any of the following events before the expiration of the term:
(1) The death of the incumbent.
(2) His insanity, found upon a commission of lunacy issued to determine the fact.
(3) His resignation duly accepted; Provided, That if any person who has been duly elected to a public office does not wish to qualify and take possession of his office, he may present his resignation to the Governor before his term of office begins, and the acceptance of such resignation will operate to create a vacancy in such office on the first day of the term for which such person was elected.
(4) His removal from office.
(5) His ceasing to be a resident of the Commonwealth, or if the office be local, of the district, city or village for which he was chosen or appointed, or within which the duties of his office are required to be discharged.
(6) His absence from the Commonwealth without the permission of the Governor or the Legislative Assembly, beyond the period of ninety days; Provided, That this shall not apply to the Resident Commissioner to the United States.
(7) His ceasing to discharge the duties of his office for the period of three consecutive months, except when prevented by sickness or when absent from the Commonwealth by permission of the Governor or the Legislative Assembly.
(8) His conviction of a felony or of any offense involving moral turpitude, or a violation of his official duties. And his conviction by a competent court for election fraud while discharging duties of an election officer.
(9) His refusal or neglect to file his official oath or bond within fifteen days after his term of office has commenced in accordance with law.
(10) The decision of a competent tribunal declaring void his election or appointment.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 208; Mar. 14, 1907, p. 322, § 1; Mar. 6, 1909, p. 144, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 556a - Employment of persons convicted of crimes—Persons on probation

Once the execution of a sentence is suspended under the provisions of §§ 1026—1029 of Title 34, or by virtue of §§ 1042 and 1043 of Title 34, or a penalty other than imprisonment is imposed pursuant to the Penal Code of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the person shall be relieved from the inability established by law to discharge public offices and to render any other services in any other manner in the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, its agencies, instrumentalities, organizations, offices and political subdivisions.
History —June 20, 1963, No. 70, p. 228, § 1; Sept. 23, 2004, No. 481, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 556b - Employment of persons convicted of crimes—Paroled persons

There shall also be relieved from the inability referred to in § 556a of this title, persons paroled pursuant to Act No. 266 of April 4, 1946, as amended, and those persons on probation or on parole by the federal jurisdiction of the United States, the District of Columbia or any of the federal states, territories or possessions of the United States and who are residing in Puerto Rico by permission of the authority that has granted such probation or parole.
History —June 20, 1963, No. 70, p. 228, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 556c - Employment of persons convicted of crimes—Construction; review

The effects of §§ 556a—556e of this title shall be circumscribed to the legal inability to hold public offices and the rendering of services to the Government of Puerto Rico, however the Director of the Central Labor Advisory and Human Resources Administration Office is hereby empowered to review each case on its merits and to decide as to the ability or inability, as the case may be, with due regard to the conduct and general reputation of the person concerned, as well as the nature and functions of the office for which said appointment is proposed.
History —June 20, 1963, No. 70, p. 228, § 3; Sept. 23, 2004, No. 481, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 556d - Employment of persons convicted of crimes—Continuance in employment; application of laws

The relieving from inability provided in §§ 556a and 556b of this title shall not be construed as entitling a convict to continue to hold or to hold the same office or to render the same service he/she was performing or rendering prior to his/her conviction or of the revocation of probation or parole, or of the penalty other than imprisonment. The persons so relieved from the inability to hold public offices and to render any other services in any other manner shall be subject to the legal provisions and to the rules and regulations governing or applicable to the administration of personnel in the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, its agencies, instrumentalities, organizations, offices and political subdivisions.
History —June 20, 1963, No. 70, p. 228, § 4; Sept. 23, 2004, No. 481, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 556e - Employment of persons convicted of crimes—Revocation of probation or parole

The revocation of probation or parole, or of penalty other than imprisonment of any person who is holding a public office or rendering any other services by virtue of the provisions of §§ 556a—556e of this title shall automatically entail the loss of such office or the termination of the rendering of his/her services, if rendered in any other manner, and, likewise the inability that for these purposes existed before the granting of the probation or parole or the penalty other than imprisonment, shall be restored.
History —June 20, 1963, No. 70, p. 228, § 5; Sept. 23, 2004, No. 481, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 575 - Advocacy of overthrow of government

It is hereby declared incompatible to be an official by appointment or an employee in any form of the Government of Puerto Rico or of any department, agency, public corporation or other instrumentality or dependency of the Government of Puerto Rico, whether his compensation is paid from municipal, Commonwealth or federal funds, and advocate the overthrow by force or violence of the Government of Puerto Rico or of the United States, or be a member of any society, group, assembly or organization advocating such overthrow by force or violence.
History —Dec. 29, 1950, No. 8, p. 386, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 576 - Oaths administered by heads of departments

(a) All heads of departments, authorities, instrumentalities and political subdivisions of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as the examining officers appointed thereby, are hereby empowered to administer oaths in administrative hearings held in their respective organizations.
(b) The term “head”, as used in this section, means: secretaries, mayors, chairmen of boards or committees and all other executive directors of any department, dependency, political subdivision, agency, authority, or instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —Apr. 29, 1949, No. 152, p. 408, §§ 1, 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 577 - Compensation of various officers

The annual salary of each of the following officials shall be that which is set forth next to his/her title as of the date of effectiveness of this act.
Officials Annual Salary Chairperson, Planning Board $80,000 Members, Planning Board 72,000 each Superintendent of Police 80,000 Adjutant General, National Guard 75,000 General Services, Administrator 75,000 Regulations and Permits Administrator 75,000 Chairperson, Environmental Quality Board 80,000 Associate Members, Environmental Quality Board 65,000 each Right to Employment Administrator 75,000 Administrator Labor Relations Advisory Central Office and Human Resources Administration 75,000 Rehabilitation and Corrections Administrator 80,000 Chairperson, Public Service Commission 70,000 Associate Members, Public Service Commission 60,000 each Executive Director, Institute of Culture 75,000 Chairperson, Board of Appeals of the Personnel Administration System 65,000 Members, Board of Appeals of the Personnel Administration System 60,000 each Chairperson, Appeals, Construction and Subdivision Board 65,000 Chairperson, Industrial Commission 70,000 Commissioners, Industrial Commission 65,000 each Director, Commonwealth Civil Defense Agency 75,000 Horseracing Industry and Sport Administrator 70,000 Chief, Puerto Rico Firefighter Corps 75,000 Chairperson, Labor Relations Board 65,000 Director, Industrial Tax Exemption Office 65,000 Inspector of Cooperatives 65,000 Members, Minimum Wage Board 45,000 each Chairperson, Parole Board 75,000 Members, Parole Board 60,000 each
In addition to the salary provided herein for the Chairperson of the Planning Board, the Superintendent of the Puerto Rico Police and the Chairperson of the Environmental Quality Board, the Governor may assign a differential of up to one-third of their salary.
History —June 24, 1989, No. 13, § 4; Nov. 18, 1989, No. 2; Nov. 17, 1992, No. 92, § 4; Apr. 26, 1994, No. 11, § 1; July 22, 1995, No. 85, § 1; Oct. 14, 1995, No. 213, § 2; July 1, 1996, No. 63; Sept. 12, 1996, No. 219, § 2; Sept. 13, 1996, No. 230, § 1; Dec. 26, 1997, No. 198, § 2; June 10, 1998, No. 79, § 3; Jan. 10, 1999, No. 44, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 578 - Foreign gifts, decorations, or offices—Presentation through Department of State; authorization by Legislative Assembly

Any gift, donation, decoration, or office, conferred or presented by any foreign country or officer on or to any officer or employee of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall be presented through the Department of State of Puerto Rico and not directly to the person; but such gift, donation, decoration, or office shall not be delivered to the person by the Department of State unless so authorized by the Legislature of Puerto Rico.
History —Mar. 8, 1955, No. 9, p. 34, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 579 - Foreign gifts, decorations, or offices—Reports to Legislative Assembly

The Secretary of State is hereby directed to submit to the present and succeeding regular sessions of the Legislature a list of all those employees and officers of the Commonwealth, whether in active service or retired, for whom the Department of State has under custody, pursuant to the provisions of §§ 578-580 of this title, gifts, donations, decorations, or offices, presented by foreign countries or officers.
History —Mar. 8, 1955, No. 9, p. 34, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 580 - Foreign gifts, decorations, or offices—Display or exhibition

No gift, donation, or decoration conferred or presented by a foreign country to any officer of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall be publicly displayed or exhibited by the recipient thereof until the Legislature shall have authorized him to receive it.
History —Mar. 8, 1955, No. 9, p. 34, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 581 - Rendering of additional medical, pharmaceutical or dental services and compensation

(a) The Secretary of Health or any other Commonwealth or municipal officer in charge of the public health services, in agreement with the Secretary of Health, shall determine when the rendering of additional medical, pharmaceutical or dental services beyond the regular working hours is justified, taking into consideration the difficulty of hiring this personnel in some towns of the Island, the number of patients to be attended, the location of the medical, pharmaceutical or dental facilities and the need of rendering medical, pharmaceutical or dental services on night shifts, holidays and weekends. Once this determination has been made, the Secretary shall authorize the rendering of such additional services by paying the additional compensation entailed by such services as provided in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) The Secretary of Health shall, jointly with the Director of the Personnel Office, fix the additional compensation within the corresponding schedule to be paid in these cases, taking into consideration upon establishing same the reasonable value of the services.
(c) The additional payments authorized herein for services rendered after regular working hours do not exclude nor substitute the payment of higher salaries for regular work when these salaries are established in specific localities by reason of the extraordinary difficulties in hiring personnel for such services.
History —June 28, 1969, No. 126, p. 368, § 2; June 3, 1976, No. 137, p. 408, § 2; May 5, 1986, No. 18, p. 40, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 582 - Hours allotted state employees for participation in children’s academic activities

(a) Every employee of the Government of Puerto Rico, including those who render services in departments and agencies of the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary Branches, shall be entitled to two (2) working hours off, without reduction in pay or leave time, at the beginning and at the end of each school semester, to visit the educational institutions to which their children attend and learn about their children’s academic progress.
(b) The departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the Government of Puerto Rico are hereby authorized to grant their employees, including all probationary, regular, confidential, transitory and irregular employees with minor children in public or private schools, whether preschool kindergarten, elementary or high schools, without reduction in pay or leave time, two (2) working hours at the beginning and at the end of each school semester, to attend to the educational needs of their children. Persons who render their services under contract shall be exempted from this benefit.
(c) Employees shall be responsible to use this benefit judiciously and restrictively. Supervisors, in turn, shall be responsible to see to the compliance of the standards governing said leave and ensure that it is used for the purposes for which it was granted and without affecting the services rendered in the agency.
(d) The agencies may confirm, by whatever means deemed appropriate, that the special leave granted herein is used in compliance with the purposes of this chapter, and that to such effects, disciplinary sanctions may be imposed on their employees for the illegal or fraudulent use of this benefit.
(e) The referred leave of absence shall be used by only one of the parents or legal custodians of the minor. As an exception, in special and highly meritorious situations which require the presence of both parents or legal custodians, permission may be granted to both parents or custodians, in absence of other options and after proper evidence thereof is presented. In such cases, the authorization to leave the workplace shall be previously documented, evaluated and authorized by the nominating authorities.
(f) Employees with several children shall be responsible for planning and coordinating the school visits in order to reduce the use of this leave to an indispensable minimum.
(g) Immediately after making use of said leave, the employee shall present the corresponding evidence showing that the time granted was used for the purposes authorized herein.
(h) The departments and agencies shall make those changes or amendments in the regulations that are necessary in order to incorporate the measures provided by this chapter, so that the services rendered by the Government of Puerto Rico are not affected.
History —July 17, 1998, No. 134, §§ 1-8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 25 - Public Officers (§§ 541 — 583) › § 583 - Travel as part of Olympic Committee

(a) It is hereby prohibited that any official of the Government of Puerto Rico, its corporations and instrumentalities, mayors, municipal officials and legislators, judges and officials of the Judicial Branch, and the members of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico travel as part of an Olympic delegation with expenses paid by the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee or any other entity that receives public funds.
(b) This section shall not apply to public officials or employees who receive financial aid to practice a sport discipline at competition level and that are bona fide members of a sports federation attached to the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee. This section shall not prevent the public officials mentioned in subsection (a) from participating in the activities of the Olympic Committee; provided, that their participation is defrayed with private funds.
(c) The prohibition contained in this section is hereby extended to four (4) years after the official or state or municipal legislator has ceased to be in office.
(d) Any natural or juridical person that fails to comply with the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a fourth-degree felony.
History —Aug. 14, 2012, No. 165, §§ 1–4.