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PS 1211

Para decretar el mes de abril de cada año como “Mes Betancino”, con el fin de educar sobre la vida y la obra del prócer caborrojeño Ramón Emeterio Betances y Alacán; reconocer sus múltiples y valiosas contribuciones a la sociedad puertorriqueña, antillana y latinoamericana; destacar sus aportaciones a la ciencia y a la salud pública en nuestra Patria; y para establecer otras disposiciones complementarias.

2025-2028 Session

Declares April as Mes Betancino to educate the public about Ramón Betances’ life and promote activities honoring his contributions to liberty, science, culture, and public health.

Referido a Comisión(es)
0
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Bill Summary · PS 1211

Summary of Bill PS 1211 (Session 2025-2028, Puerto Rico)

Purpose and Intent

  • Declares April of each year as the "Mes Betancino" (Betancino Month).
  • Aims to educate the public about the life and work of Ramón Emeterio Betances y Alacán, a prominent Puerto Rican proponent of human rights and public health.
  • Recognizes Betances’ contributions to Puerto Rican, Caribbean, and Latin American societies, including science, health, politics, abolitionism, and regional diplomacy.
  • Highlights Betances’ roles in abolition, independence movements, medical practice, scientific work, and public health initiatives.
  • Establishes complementary provisions to promote awareness and education during Betancino Month.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Artículo 1: Formal declaration

    • The month of April each year is decreed the "Mes Betancino."
    • Purpose: educate about Betances’ life and work and recognize his contributions to society.

  • Artículo 2: Proclamation by the Governor

    • The Governor must issue a proclamation detailing the objectives of the Mes Betancino.
    • Encourages the Puerto Rican public to engage in activities during April that celebrate Betances’ life and contributions to liberty, political rights, science, culture, and economic development.
    • Proclamation should urge public and private entities, municipal governments, and the general public to organize activities aligned with the law.

  • Artículo 3: Coordination and implementation

    • The Department of Education and the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture (Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña) will manage and coordinate activities.
    • Activities should involve educational, cultural, environmental, and nonprofit organizations to fulfill the law’s purpose.

  • Artículo 4: Effective date

    • The law takes effect immediately upon approval (vigencia inmediate).

Who/What Is Affected

  • Government entities:
    • Office of the Governor (through the required proclamation/initiative).
    • Department of Education (Departamento de Educación).
    • Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña (Institute of Puerto Rican Culture).
  • Public and private organizations:
    • Educational, cultural, environmental, and nonprofit entities are expected to participate in Mes Betancino activities.
  • General public:
    • Encouraged to participate in educational and commemorative activities during April.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Placed in the Legislative process (referido to Comisión de Ley).
  • Action History: Radicado in the Senate on April 24, 2026.
  • Provisions require coordination and annual proclamation; no specific budget is stated in the text provided.
  • Effective date: Immediately upon enactment (vigencia inmediata).

Observations

  • The bill primarily creates a commemorative and educational observance focused on Betances’ diverse legacy, including abolitionism, medicine, science, diplomacy, and regional Caribbean collaboration.
  • It relies on the Governor’s proclamation and coordination by the Department of Education and the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture to implement activities.
  • No fiscal allocations are specified in the text provided; substantive impact would depend on voluntary participation and any future funding decisions for related activities.

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

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