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PS 437

“Para crear la “Ley para la Orientación sobre los Beneficios del Ácido Fólico”, a los fines de que el Departamento de Salud implemente una campaña educativa sobre la importancia del consumo de ácido fólico, elabore material informativo y lo distribuya en consultorios de ginecología y obstetricia en todo Puerto Rico, dirigido a mujeres embarazadas o en edad reproductiva; ordenar la facultad de reglamentación; establecer sanciones por incumplimiento; y para otros fines relacionados.”

2025-2028 Session

Establishes a Puerto Rico law to educate about folic acid; Health Department runs a campaign, distributes materials in gynecology clinics for pregnant women, with sanctions.

Comisión no recomienda aprobación de la medida
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Bill Summary · PS 437

Summary of PS 437

Overview

  • Bill Number: PS 437
  • Title (Spanish): “Para crear la ‘Ley para la Orientación sobre los Beneficios del Ácido Fólico’…”
  • Purpose: Establish a law creating a government education campaign on folic acid, to be implemented by the Puerto Rico Department of Health. The campaign would develop informational materials and distribute them in gynecology and obstetrics clinics statewide, targeted to pregnant women and women of reproductive age. The bill would authorize regulations and establish sanctions for noncompliance, among related purposes.
  • Status: Comisión no recomienda aprobación de la medida (Committee does not recommend passage).
  • Introduced: March 19, 2025

Key Provisions (as drafted)

  • Create the law titled the “Ley para la Orientación sobre los Beneficios del Ácido Fólico.”
  • Mandate the Department of Health to implement an educational campaign about the benefits of folic acid.
  • Require the development of informational materials on folic acid and its importance during pregnancy.
  • Task the distribution of these materials in gynecology and obstetrics clinics across Puerto Rico.
  • Target materials and outreach to pregnant women and women in reproductive age groups.
  • Empower the appropriate regulatory authority to promulgate rules or regulations necessary to implement the law (regulatory framework).
  • Establish sanctions for noncompliance with the provisions of the act.
  • Include additional related or ancillary provisions as needed.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Pregnant women and women of reproductive age in Puerto Rico, who would gain access to educational material about folic acid.
  • Implementing entity: Puerto Rico Department of Health (Departamento de Salud) responsible for running the campaign, developing materials, and coordinating distribution.
  • Health care providers/clinics: Gynecology and obstetrics clinics statewide would be involved as distribution points for the materials.

Timeline and Procedural Status

  • March 19, 2025: Bill filed (Radicado).
  • March 31, 2025: Referred to Senate committees and appears in First Reading.
  • April 10, 2025: Committee issued a report stating it does not recommend approval of the measure.
  • Current status suggests the bill is unlikely to advance unless amended and reintroduced.

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Public Health Objective: Increased awareness of folic acid benefits could support neural tube defect prevention and maternal health if effectively implemented.
  • Implementation Burden: Would require funding for campaign design, materials, and statewide distribution, plus development of regulatory rules and enforcement mechanisms.
  • Enforcement: Sanctions for noncompliance imply there could be penalties for entities that do not adhere to the act, though specifics are not provided in the available summary.
  • Political/Procedural Outlook: Given the committee’s unfavorable recommendation, passage would likely require significant amendments or renewed consideration in subsequent sessions.

Notes

  • The description reflects the bill text and the latest available legislative actions as of the provided dates.

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

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