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PS 1255

Para crear la “Ley de Reglamentación y Fiscalización de Oficiales de Control de Animales e Investigadores de Crueldad” a los fines de establecer los requisitos de licenciamientos de los Oficiales de Control de Animales e Investigadores de Crueldad, (OCA/IC), adoptar las regulaciones concernientes al adiestramiento, funciones, técnicas y cualificaciones educativas para el licenciamiento de los OCA/IC, incluyendo, pero no limitando, un curso de estudios aprobado por el Superintendente de la Policía de Puerto Rico, la Academia de la Policía de Puerto Rico y en consulta con la organización Oficiales Investigadores de Crueldad de Animales (OCA/IC); y enmendar los Artículos 2, 3, y 4 del Capítulo I de la Ley 154-2008, según enmendada conocida como “Ley para el Bienestar y la Protección de los Animales”; y para otros fines relacionado.

2025-2028 Session

Establishes a formal licensure framework with standardized training and qualifications for Animal Control Officers and Animal Cruelty Investigators in Puerto Rico.

Referido a Comisión(es)
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Bill Summary · PS 1255

Overview

Bill PS 1255 (Session 2025-2028, Puerto Rico) seeks to create and regulate a new framework for licensing and oversight of Animal Control Officers and Animal Cruelty Investigators (OCA/IC). The measure would establish licensing requirements, training standards, functions, techniques, and educational qualifications for OCA/IC, including a training course approved by the Superintendent of the Puerto Rico Police, the Puerto Rico Police Academy, and in consultation with the organization Oficiales Investigadores de Crueldad de Animales (OCA/IC). It also proposes amendments to certain articles of the Animal Welfare and Protection Act (Law 154-2008, as amended).

Purpose and intent

  • Establish a formal licensing regime for OCA/IC to ensure professional standards in animal control and cruelty investigations.
  • Define required training, qualifications, and activities permitted for licensed officers.
  • Integrate and align training with law enforcement and veterinary/animal-welfare oversight bodies (Police Superintendent, Police Academy) and with the OCA/IC professional organization.
  • Update the governing framework by amending specific provisions of the Animal Welfare and Protection Act (Law 154-2008) to reflect the licensing system and related authorities.

Key provisions (as described)

  • Creation of a licensing framework for:
    • Animal Control Officers (OCA)
    • Animal Cruelty Investigators (IC)
  • Establishment of education, training, and qualification standards, including:
    • A standardized course of study approved by:
    • Superintendent of the Puerto Rico Police
    • Puerto Rico Police Academy
    • In consultation with OCA/IC
  • Adoption of regulations and protocols related to:
    • Adiestramiento (training)
    • Functions and techniques
    • Educational qualifications necessary for licensure
  • Specific legal amendments:
    • Modify Articles 2, 3, and 4 of Chapter I of Law 154-2008 (as amended), the law known as the “Ley para el Bienestar y la Protección de los Animales” (Animal Welfare and Protection Act)
  • Additional provisions “and for other related purposes” indicating potential ancillary changes or authorities to implement

Who would be affected

  • Current and prospective Animal Control Officers and Animal Cruelty Investigators in Puerto Rico
  • Employers and agencies employing OCA/IC personnel (e.g., municipal animal control departments, police-related units)
  • Police and law enforcement training institutions (Police Superintendent, Police Academy) responsible for approving training
  • The organization Oficiales Investigadores de Crueldad de Animales (OCA/IC) as a stakeholder consulted in training standards
  • Beneficiaries include animals, the public, and entities involved in animal welfare enforcement

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Radicado (introduced) on 2026-05-11
  • The bill would undergo committee review, potential hearings, and amendments before possible floor votes and enactment
  • The amendments to Law 154-2008 would require coordination with existing statutory timelines for implementing regulatory changes and issuance of licensure regulations

Potential impact and considerations

  • Professionalization: Establishes formallicensing, potentially raising professional standards and consistency in investigations of animal cruelty.
  • Training standards: Creation of a unified, publicly accountable training curriculum approved by key law enforcement and training bodies.
  • Interagency coordination: Formal collaboration among the Police Superintendent, Police Academy, and the OCA/IC organization.
  • Compliance and enforcement: Licensure could affect recruitment, certification, and ongoing compliance for OCA/IC personnel.
  • Implementation timelines: Practical rollout would depend on regulations, funding, and regulatory agency capacity to administer licensure and oversight.

If you’d like, I can provide a layperson-friendly summary with a simplified list of licensure requirements once the final text or committee summaries are available.

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

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