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PS 1269

“Para enmendar el inciso (b) del Artículo 2; el inciso (b) del Artículo 9; los incisos (a), (c) y (h) del Artículo 10; el Artículo 11; el Artículo 12; y el Artículo 13 de la Ley Núm. 20-2001, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley de la Oficina de la Procuradora de las Mujeres”, a los fines de aclarar expresamente la jurisdicción administrativa de la Oficina de la Procuradora de las Mujeres para fiscalizar, investigar, atender querellas, celebrar procedimientos adjudicativos, ordenar acciones correctivas e imponer multas administrativas contra agencias públicas, patronos públicos, entidades privadas, patronos privados, personas naturales o jurídicas, asociaciones, organizaciones, institutos, contratistas, subcontratistas, entidades de empleo temporero, entidades que ejerzan control sobre condiciones de empleo o cualquier entidad en la que una mujer labore, haya laborado, solicite empleo, preste servicios, reciba adiestramiento o participe en procesos relacionados con el empleo, cuando se aleguen acciones u omisiones que lesionen derechos de las mujeres en el ámbito laboral; disponer que dicha jurisdicción incluirá controversias relacionadas con discrimen por razón de sexo, embarazo, maternidad, lactancia, estado civil, condición familiar, hostigamiento sexual, represalias, desigualdad salarial, trato desigual, condiciones de empleo discriminatorias o cualquier otra modalidad de discrimen o lesión de derechos reconocidos a las mujeres por la Constitución, las leyes, los reglamentos o la política pública de Puerto Rico; aclarar que las facultades administrativas de fiscalización, investigación, adjudicación, órdenes correctivas e imposición de multas de la Oficina de la Procuradora de las Mujeres no desplazarán ni limitarán la jurisdicción de los tribunales ni de otros foros competentes para conceder daños, salarios dejados de percibir, reinstalación, mesada, paga atrasada, beneficios marginales, honorarios de abogado, intereses, remedios contractuales, remedios estatutarios laborales o cualquier otro remedio indemnizatorio o restitutorio que proceda conforme a derecho; establecer normas de coordinación interagencial, administrativa y judicial; y para otros fines relacionados.”

2025-2028 Session

The bill gives the Office authority to investigate and fine a wide range of private and public entities for actions harming women's workplace rights, while preserving judicial reme

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Bill Summary · PS 1269

Purpose and main aim

  • PS 1269 seeks to amend multiple provisions of Law Num. 20-2001, as amended, known as the “Ley de la Oficina de la Procuradora de las Mujeres” (Office of the Prosecutor for Women).
  • The core objective is to expressly clarify and affirm the administrative jurisdiction of the Office to oversee, investigate, adjudicate, and sanction actions or omissions by public agencies, public employers, private entities, contractors, employment-related entities, and others where actions affect women’s rights in the workplace.
  • The bill emphasizes coordination with other forums (courts, employment and anti-discrimination bodies, etc.) and confirms that administrative remedies do not displace judicial remedies.

Key provisions and changes

  • Define “entidad privada” more broadly to include any entity where a woman works or has worked, and to cover private employers, contractors, temp agencies, associations, organizations, educational institutions, and similar entities that affect employment conditions.
  • Expand the Office’s authority to include:
    • Receiving complaints, investigating, ordering corrective actions, and imposing administrative fines against a wide range of entities when alleged actions/omissions harm women’s rights.
    • Addressing discrimination and related workplace harms such as sex discrimination, pregnancy, maternity, lactation, marital status, family status, sexual harassment, retaliation, unequal pay, disparate treatment, and other discriminatory or rights-violating conditions.
  • Clarify that the Office’s administrative powers are corrective and dissuasive, not a substitute for judicial remedies. Courts and other forums retain authority to grant damages, back pay, reinstatement, benefits, attorney’s fees, statutory remedies, and other indemnified remedies.
  • Specify that interagency, administrative, and judicial coordination is required to avoid duplicative proceedings and conflicts.
  • Enable the Office to:
    • Investigate, adjudicate, and impose fines up to $10,000 per act/omission that harms women’s rights, and to order corrective actions.
    • Proceed with investigations and hearings in labor-related cases while preserving the right to pursue judicial remedies.
  • Establish procedures for handling complaints and investigations, with due process protections, confidentiality, and coordination with relevant state agencies (Department of Labor and Human Resources, Anti-Discrimination Unit, Department of Justice, Courts Administration, etc.).
  • Require Reglamento (regulatory) framework within 180 days of passage, detailing:
    • Procedures for handling labor-related complaints, criteria for administrative intervention, coordination standards, avoidance of duplicate proceedings, due process safeguards, confidentiality, and guidelines for fines and corrective orders.
  • Create interagency coordination mechanisms (MOUs, protocols) to facilitate implementation and prevent duplication.
  • Clarify applicability to all complaints initiated after enactment and allow ongoing cases to be adjusted to respect vested rights and due process.

Who/what is affected

  • Public agencies and public employers.
  • Private employers, private contractors, subcontractors, temporary employment entities, and other private entities employing or engaging with women.
  • Individuals (natural persons) and legal entities involved in employment processes.
  • Government and quasi-government offices involved in enforcing workplace rights (labor agencies, anti-discrimination units, courts, etc.).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Regulatory framework required within 180 days of enactment.
  • Provisions specify that administrative actions (fines, corrective orders) operate independently but in coordination with other forums.
  • Applicability retroactive to new complaints; ongoing cases addressed under compatible provisions with due process protections.
  • Coordination obligations across multiple agencies to prevent duplicative processes.

Note: The bill text and Exposición de Motivos reference a recent Supreme Court case (2025 TSPR 146) as context for clarifying jurisdiction and the coexistence of administrative and judicial remedies.

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

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