WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

PS 784

Para enmendar el Artículo 18 de la Ley 8-2004, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley Orgánica del Departamento de Recreación y Deportes”, con el propósito de proveer para que la construcción, reparación, mantenimiento, inspección y uso de todas las instalaciones recreativas y deportivas bajo la jurisdicción del antes mencionado Departamento, contemple que estas sean de libre acceso o entrada y no tengan barreras arquitectónicas que impidan que una persona con impedimentos, pueda llegar, acceder o moverse por la facilidad; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Requires Puerto Rico's Recreation and Sports Department facilities to provide free, barrier-free access for people with disabilities, eliminating architectural obstacles.

Retirada por su Autor
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · PS 784

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 784 amends Puerto Rico's Recreation and Sports Department law (Law 8-2004) to require that all recreational and sports facilities under the department's jurisdiction provide free access and be fully accessible to people with disabilities, eliminating architectural barriers. The amendment mandates that construction, repair, maintenance, inspection, and operation of these facilities comply with accessibility standards.

Why is this important

This bill addresses a critical gap in public infrastructure equity by ensuring that people with disabilities can independently access and use publicly-funded recreational facilities—currently many face architectural barriers that effectively exclude them. Implementation would require significant capital investment but could meaningfully expand participation in sports and recreation for Puerto Rico's disabled population, promoting health, social inclusion, and compliance with disability rights principles.

Potential points of contention

  • Financial burden: Retrofitting existing facilities and ensuring all new construction meets accessibility standards requires substantial upfront and ongoing costs during fiscal constraints
  • Definition clarity: The bill lacks specific technical standards for what constitutes adequate accessibility, potentially creating implementation disputes and inconsistent compliance
  • Free access policy: Eliminating all entrance fees may impact facility revenue and maintenance funding models, raising questions about financial sustainability
  • Timeline and enforcement: No specified deadline for compliance or enforcement mechanism is detailed, leaving ambiguity about how violations would be addressed

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

Sign in to ask a question.