Overview: Bill Number: PC 226, Title: Para enmendar el Artículo 3 de la Ley 21-2008, según enmendada, conocida como "La Ley para Establecer el Protocolo para Tratamiento al Uso y Dependencia al Tabaco y sus Derivados", Status: Firmado por el Presidente del Senado, Introduced: January 13, 2025, Classification: bill
Purpose and Intent: The purpose of this bill is to amend Article 3 of Law 21-2008, as amended, known as "The Law to Establish the Protocol for Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence and its Derivatives". The main goal is to make it compulsory for insurance providers to annually supply information to the Tobacco Control Division, attached to the Puerto Rico Department of Health, regarding the coverage for the treatment of tobacco use and dependence and its derivatives. The bill also aims to establish penalties for non-compliance.
Key Provisions:
- Amends Article 3 of Law 21-2008 to make it mandatory for insurance providers to annually submit information to the Tobacco Control Division on the coverage for tobacco use and dependence treatment
- Establishes penalties for non-compliance with the annual reporting requirement
Affected Parties and Impacts:
- Insurance providers in Puerto Rico will be required to comply with the annual reporting mandate
- The Tobacco Control Division will receive more comprehensive data on tobacco treatment coverage, which could inform policy and program decisions
Procedural and Timeline Considerations:
The bill has been signed by the President of the Senate and is awaiting further legislative action.
