WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

PS 267

Para añadir un nuevo inciso (b) y redesignar los subsiguientes incisos, respectivamente, del Artículo 14, enmendar el inciso (n) del Artículo 66, el acápite de la Sección Tercera del Capítulo III del Libro Segundo y los Artículos 126, 127, 127-A, 127-C y 127-D de la Ley 146-2012, según enmendada, conocida como el “Código Penal de Puerto Rico de 2012”, a los fines de incorporar el término ‘’Adulto Mayor” en sustitución de “persona de edad avanzada”; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico bill replaces "elderly person" with "senior citizen" terminology throughout its 2012 Penal Code to standardize language protecting older adults in criminal law.

Comisión no recomienda aprobación de la medida
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · PS 267

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 267 proposes to replace the term "persona de edad avanzada" (elderly person) with "Adulto Mayor" (senior citizen) throughout Puerto Rico's 2012 Penal Code. The changes affect Article 14, Article 66(n), and several other articles (126, 127, 127-A, 127-C, and 127-D) that address crimes and protections related to older adults.

Why is this important

This is primarily a terminology modernization effort intended to standardize language in Puerto Rico's criminal law regarding older adults. The shift from "edad avanzada" to "Adulto Mayor" reflects contemporary terminology preferences and may improve legal clarity and consistency across the penal code's protective provisions for seniors.

Potential points of contention

  • Semantic debate: Whether the new term meaningfully changes legal interpretation or is purely cosmetic; critics may argue resources should focus on substantive protections rather than terminology
  • Unintended consequences: Changing established legal terms across multiple articles carries risk of creating ambiguity if not carefully harmonized, potentially affecting how courts interpret existing cases
  • Commission opposition: The referring committee recommended against approval (August 2025), suggesting substantive concerns exist that merit public scrutiny regarding the bill's actual necessity or implementation

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

Sign in to ask a question.