Para enmendar el Artículo 5 de la Ley Núm. 67-1993, según enmendada, conocida como la "Ley de la Administración de Servicios de Salud Mental y Contra la Adicción", a los fines de añadir un nuevo inciso (o) que ordene a la Administración de Servicios de Salud Mental y Contra la Adicción (ASSMCA) desarrollar, implementar y supervisar un currículo de intervención y tratamiento especializado para personas convictas por delitos sexuales, incluyendo convictos en el sistema correccional y ex confinados mientras permanezcan inscritos en el Registro de Personas Convictas por Delitos Sexuales y Abuso Contra Menores creado por la Ley Núm. 266-2004, según enmendada; enmendar el Artículo 6 de la Ley Núm. 266-2004, según enmendada, para añadir un nuevo inciso (f) que requiera participación obligatoria en dicho currículo; establecer protocolos de colaboración con el Departamento de Corrección y Rehabilitación (DCR) y su proveedor privatizado de servicios médicos, Physician Correctional; requerir métricas anuales de evaluación y reportes a la Asamblea Legislativa; promover la prevención de reincidencia y la rehabilitación; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico requires specialized sexual offense treatment programs for convicted offenders to reduce recidivism while creating accountability through annual evaluations and legislative oversight.

Comisión no recomienda aprobación de la medida

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 954 amends Puerto Rico's mental health and sexual offender laws to require the Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration (ASSMCA) to develop and implement a specialized intervention and treatment curriculum for individuals convicted of sexual offenses. The curriculum would be mandatory for incarcerated offenders and registered sex offenders in the community, with collaboration protocols established between ASSMCA and the Department of Corrections.

Why is this important

Sexual offense recidivism is a significant public safety concern, and specialized treatment programs have demonstrated measurable effectiveness in reducing reoffense rates in various jurisdictions. This legislation attempts to systematize rehabilitation efforts while creating accountability mechanisms through annual evaluations and legislative reporting, potentially improving both offender outcomes and community safety.

Potential points of contention

Resource allocation and funding: The bill mandates new programming without specifying budget allocation, potentially straining ASSMCA's existing capacity and raising questions about taxpayer costs for specialized treatment services

Mandatory participation and constitutional concerns: Compulsory treatment participation for all registered offenders may face legal challenges regarding due process rights, particularly for those not actively incarcerated

Privatization complications: Coordination requirements with Physician Correctional (private medical provider) introduce questions about data sharing, liability, and consistency of care standards between public and private entities

Effectiveness metrics and accountability: Annual reporting requirements are vague regarding what constitutes success, and enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance are unclear