Para crear un registro de personas convictas por violar las disposiciones de la Ley 154-2008, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley para el Bienestar y la Protección de los Animales”; establecer quiénes serán registrados en el mismo, sus deberes y obligaciones; proveer sobre la disponibilidad de la información; prohibir a personas convictas por maltrato de animales poder adquirir, criar, vender o adoptar animales; establecer las obligaciones de las personas o entidades que se dedican al cuidado, crianza o venta de animales; fijar penas; enmendar el segundo párrafo del Artículo 2A de la Ley Núm. 259 de 3 de abril de 1949, según enmendada, que establece el sistema de libertad a prueba y el inciso (a) del Artículo 3 de la Ley Núm. 118 de 22 de julio de 1974, según enmendada, que crea la Junta de Libertad Bajo Palabra, a fin de imponer como condición al beneficio de libertad a prueba y libertad bajo palabra el haber sido registrado según lo dispone esta Ley; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Creates animal abuser registry, bans convicts from owning/breeding animals, makes registry mandatory for parole eligibility in Puerto Rico.

Referido a Comisión(es)

Legislative bill overview

Bill PC 1109 creates a registry of individuals convicted of animal abuse violations under Puerto Rico's Animal Welfare Law (Law 154-2008). The bill establishes registration requirements, duties, and obligations for convicted offenders, while prohibiting registered individuals from acquiring, breeding, selling, or adopting animals. It also imposes new obligations on animal care facilities and sellers, strengthens penalties, and makes registry status a condition for parole and probation eligibility.

Why is this important

Animal abuse registries are increasingly used across jurisdictions to prevent repeat offenses and protect vulnerable animals. This bill directly addresses recidivism by creating legal barriers that prevent convicted abusers from accessing animals. The inclusion of parole conditions makes compliance mandatory for early release, creating enforcement leverage beyond the initial conviction.

Potential points of contention

Scope of prohibition: The blanket ban on acquiring, breeding, selling, or adopting animals may be considered overly broad, potentially affecting people's property rights even for minor violations; questions remain about duration (lifetime vs. temporary restrictions)

Registry privacy and stigma: Public registries create permanent records that could impact employment, housing, and reintegration; the bill's language on "availability of information" is vague regarding who can access details and for what purposes

Implementation burden: Animal care facilities and sellers face new compliance obligations to verify registry status; enforcement mechanisms and penalties for non-compliance are not clearly detailed

Parole condition authority: Conditioning parole/probation on registry enrollment may create constitutional questions about due process if registration standards lack clear criteria or appeal mechanisms