WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

PS 1113

Para añadir una nueva Regla 2.7.1 a las Reglas de Procedimiento para Asuntos de Menores, según enmendadas, con el propósito de requerir al Negociado de la Policía de Puerto Rico y al Departamento de Justicia certificar al Tribunal si la persona menor vinculada con la comisión de una falta, objeto de una queja o imputada de falta es estudiante registrada en el Programa de Educación Especial, o si tiene un diagnóstico que le hace acreedora del derecho a ser registrada en el Programa de Educación Especial, tan pronto se inicie el proceso en su contra, con el fin de evaluar oportunamente si el diagnóstico de la menor guarda vínculos con la conducta imputada, si esto atenúa o exime su responsabilidad legal y si, en lugar del procesamiento ordinario, deben procurarse servicios terapéuticos o programas de desvío; enmendar el Artículo 65 de la Ley Núm. 146–2012, según enmendada, denominada “Código Penal de Puerto Rico”, para añadir un nuevo inciso (n); y para decretar otras disposiciones complementarias.

2025-2028 Session

Requires early certification of a minor’s Special Education status or diagnosis to assess link to conduct and potential diversion or mitigated sentencing.

Referido a Comisión(es)
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · PS 1113

Summary of Bill PS 1113 (Session 2025-2028, Puerto Rico)

Purpose and Intent

PS 1113 proposes to reform procedures involving minors who are accused or investigated for alleged offenses. The core goals are:
- To require the Puerto Rico Police Bureau and the Department of Justice to certify to the court whether a minor involved in a case is a registered student in the Special Education Program (Programa de Educación Especial) or has a diagnosis that qualifies them for such registration.
- To obtain this information at the earliest stage of the process (as soon as a complaint is filed or at the time of apprehension) so that the court can promptly evaluate whether the minor’s diagnosis is related to the alleged conduct.
- To determine, when appropriate, whether the minor’s diagnosis could mitigate or excuse criminal responsibility and whether therapeutic services or diversion programs should be pursued instead of traditional processing.
- To amend the Penal Code (Código Penal de Puerto Rico) to add a new ground for mitigating circumstances (inciso (n)) tied to the minor’s special education status or relevant diagnosis and its relation to the conduct.

Key Provisions

1) New Rule 2.7.1 in the Rules of Procedure for Juvenile Matters

  • Institutions required to certify status: Puerto Rico Police Bureau and Department of Justice must certify to the Court:
    • If the minor is registered in the Special Education Program, or
    • If the minor has a diagnosis that makes them eligible for registration in the Special Education Program.
  • Timing: Certification should occur when the complaint is filed in the interest of the minor, or at the time of apprehension.
  • Purpose of certification: To assess promptly whether the minor’s diagnosis is related to the alleged conduct, and to determine if:
    • The diagnosis attenuates or exempts legal responsibility.
    • Therapeutic services or diversion programs should be pursued instead of ordinary processing.
  • Consequences: The rule would require timely consideration of the minor’s educational/diagnostic status in disposition decisions. If the Puerto Rico Police Bureau and the Department of Justice fail to certify or the Court to assess as required, the dispositions or adjudications may be declared null.

2) Amendment to Article 65 of Law No. 146-2012 (Puerto Rico Penal Code)

  • New incisio (n) added to the list of mitigating circumstances:
    • “La persona menor de 21 años, inclusive, hallada incursa en falta o convicta, está registrada en Programa de Educación Especial, o tiene un diagnóstico que le hace acreedora del derecho a ser registrada en el Programa de Educación Especial, y su diagnóstico guarda vínculos con la conducta incurrida o incide sobre su capacidad para comprender cabalmente la ilegalidad del acto realizado.”
  • Effect: If applicable, this could be used to mitigate sentencing by recognizing the minor’s special education status or related diagnosis as connected to the conduct and the minor’s capacity to understand illegality.

3) Miscellaneous Provisions

  • Declaración de separabilidad: If any provision is found unconstitutional, it does not affect the validity of the remaining provisions.
  • Effective date: The law would take effect immediately upon approval.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Minors involved in alleged offenses, complaints, or accusations that are processed under the juvenile system.
  • Law enforcement (Puerto Rico Police Bureau) and the Department of Justice, which would be required to obtain and certify the minor’s educational/diagnostic status.
  • Court system handling juvenile matters, which would use certification to inform decisions on disposition and potential diversion or treatment options.
  • Special Education Program in Puerto Rico (and eligible students), since the statute explicitly recognizes status and diagnosis as factors in case outcomes.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Certification must occur early in the process (at filing or apprehension).
  • If the required certification or timely evaluation is not performed, dispositions may be declared null, implying potential procedural safeguards for the minor.
  • Immediate applicability upon enactment (no delayed commencement).

Observations

  • The bill emphasizes early integration of educational/diagnostic information into juvenile justice decision-making.
  • It seeks to align consequences with the minor’s developmental and educational needs, potentially prioritizing therapeutic or diversion options over traditional punitive processing when appropriate.
  • The changes to the Penal Code add a formal mitigating factor linked to Special Education status and diagnosis, potentially affecting sentencing outcomes for eligible minors.

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

Sign in to ask a question.