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PS 1243

Para añadir un nuevo Artículo 10; adicionar un nuevo Artículo 10 y renumerar los actuales Artículos 10, 17 y 18, respectivamente, como Artículos 17, 18 y 19 de la Ley Núm. 82-2023, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley sobre la Política Pública del Cuidado Informal de Puerto Rico”, a fin de ordenar al Departamento del Trabajo y Recursos Humanos y al Departamento de la Familia a establecer guías para el manejo de cambios en el horario de trabajo del cuidador informal que también es empleado de una empresa, cuando estos sean necesarios para cumplir con el cuidado de un adulto mayor y con sus obligaciones laborales; y realizar correcciones de estilo.

2025-2028 Session

Creates formal guidelines to balance employed informal caregiving with work, promoting flexible scheduling and reasonable accommodations.

Referido a Comisión(es)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · PS 1243

Overview

  • Bill: PS 1243
  • Session: 2025-2028
  • Jurisdiction: Puerto Rico
  • Purpose: Add a new Article 10 to the Ley Núm. 82-2023 (Ley sobre la Política Pública del Cuidado Informal de Puerto Rico), renumber existing articles, and require the Department of Labor and Human Resources (DTRH) and the Department of Family (Departamento de la Familia) to establish practical guidelines. These guidelines would address reasonable schedule accommodations and flexible work arrangements for informal caregivers who are also employed, enabling them to meet both caregiving duties and work obligations. The bill also includes stylistic corrections.

What the bill does

  • Creates a new Article 10 titled: “Guías para Acomodo Razonable y Flexibilidad Horaria en el Empleo del Cuidador Informal.”

    • Obligates DTRH and the Department of the Family to develop practical guidelines.
    • Guidelines to cover:
    • Handling changes in the work schedule of informal caregivers who are employed.
    • Alternatives for workplace flexibility.
    • Reasonable schedule accommodations.
    • Resources to help the caregiver balance duties and participate in training or caregiver programs.
    • Promotion or recognition of periodic rest, self-care, and recovery when caregiver workloads become burdensome, without imposing undue burdens on employers.
    • Requires periodic reviews of the guidelines to stay current with new advances, demographics, economic conditions, and employer realities.

  • Renumbers existing provisions:

    • Current Article 10 becomes Article 17
    • Current Article 17 becomes Article 18
    • Current Article 18 becomes Article 19
    • Applies to Ley Núm. 82-2023 (as amended).

  • Minor textual changes (corrections of style) as part of the renumbering.

  • Section 2: Requires the DTRH and Department of the Family to adjust any related regulations to align with the new and renumbered provisions.

  • Section 3: Provides a 120-day window for the agencies to implement the actions.

  • Section 4: Effective date — the law would take effect immediately upon approval.

Who is affected

  • Informal caregivers who are also full- or part-time employees.
  • Employers in Puerto Rico that hire individuals who serve as informal caregivers.
  • Agencies: Departamento del Trabajo y Recursos Humanos (DTRH) and Departamento de la Familia (Family Department), which would implement and regulate the new guidelines.
  • Potential beneficiaries include informal caregivers seeking flexible scheduling, rest periods, and training opportunities while maintaining employment.

Key provisions and potential impact

  • Creation of formal guidelines to balance caregiving and employment duties.
  • Encouragement of flexible work arrangements and reasonable accommodations for caregivers.
  • Focus on caregiver well-being (rest, self-care, recovery) without creating undue burdens on employers.
  • Regular updates to guidelines to reflect changes in demographics, caregiving needs, and economic conditions.
  • Administrative framework to harmonize these guidelines with existing laws and regulations.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • 120-day implementation window for DTRH and the Department of the Family to initiate and adapt regulations and guidelines.
  • Immediate effect upon enactment, subject to the 120-day implementation period.
  • Requires alignment with Ley Núm. 379 (related to accommodations and broader rights) as applicable.

Summary

PS 1243 seeks to strengthen support for informal caregivers who are employed by establishing practical, periodically reviewed guidelines that promote flexible scheduling and reasonable accommodations. By assigning duties to the DTRH and the Department of the Family and renumbering related articles, the bill aims to make it clearer and more actionable for employers and caregivers to balance caregiving responsibilities with work obligations, while safeguarding caregiver health and avoiding undue employer burden. The measure includes a concrete 120-day implementation deadline and an immediate effective date upon enactment.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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