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PS 303

Para enmendar la Ley 20-2001, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley de la Oficina de la Procuradora de las Mujeres “; para enmendar el Artículo 2 (c) eliminando la definición del Consejo Consultivo de la Procuraduría de las Mujeres, enmendar su Artículo 4 con relación a los criterios a tomarse en consideración por el Gobernador o Gobernadora para la designación de la Procuradora de las Mujeres y la derogación de los Artículos 6, 7 y 8 de la ley con el propósito de eliminar el Consejo Consultivo de la Procuraduría de las Mujeres, reenumerando los subsiguientes Artículos de conformidad, enmendando el nuevo Artículo 6 para aclarar el enfoque de las funciones que lleva a cabo la Procuradora de las Mujeres, y para otros propósitos relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Eliminate the Advisory Council for the Office of the Women’s Advocate and revise Governor-appointment criteria, reshaping governance and duties of the Office.

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Bill Summary · PS 303

Overview

PS 303 is a Senate bill intended to amend Law 20-2001, as amended, known as the “Ley de la Oficina de la Procuradora de las Mujeres.” The bill aims to eliminate the Advisory Council of the Office of the Women’s Advocate, modify the appointment criteria used by the Governor for selecting the Women’s Advocate, and reorganize related provisions by repealing several articles and reordering the remaining text. The bill, as introduced, would affect how the Office operates and how its leadership is chosen.

What the bill would do

  • Eliminate the Advisory Council of the Office of the Women’s Advocate.
    • Specifically, remove the definition of the Advisory Council from Article 2(c).
    • Repeal Articles 6, 7, and 8 that establish or govern the Advisory Council, with subsequent articles being renumbered accordingly.
  • Change gubernatorial appointment criteria for the Women’s Advocate.
    • Amend Article 4 to revise the criteria the Governor must consider when designating the Women’s Advocate.
  • Reorganize and clarify functions.
    • Create or designate a new Article 6 (renumbered in the reorganization) to clarify the focus and scope of the Women’s Advocate’s duties and functions.
  • Overall effect.
    • The bill would shift governance from an advisory body to a more internally clarified appointment process and restructured statutory framework.

Who would be affected

  • Office of the Women’s Advocate (the agency/office central to the law).
  • The Governor (as the appointing authority, under revised criteria).
  • Members or potential members of the dissolved Advisory Council (if applicable under the current structure).
  • The broader public and stakeholders who rely on the Office for advocacy and protection of women’s rights, as the governance and focus of the Office could change.

Procedural timeline and status

  • Introduced: January 31, 2025.
  • First Reading: February 3, 2025 (Senate).
  • Referral: February 3, 2025 (to Senate committees).
  • Legislative action: April 2, 2025 – Commission does not recommend approval of the measure.
  • Current status: Not recommended for approval by the affirmative committee, indicating the bill faces meaningful obstacles in advancing.

Potential implications and considerations

  • Governance and accountability: Eliminating the Advisory Council could reduce external advisory input and checks on the Office of the Women’s Advocate.
  • Appointment process: Revisions to the Governor’s criteria may affect the qualifications and considerations used to select the Women’s Advocate, with potential impacts on independence, expertise, and stakeholder representation.
  • Structural clarity: Reorganization and the clarified focus in the new or renumbered Article 6 aim to define the Office’s functions more explicitly, which could influence operations and priorities.
  • Legislative prospects: With the committee not recommending approval, enactment would require additional legislative effort or modifications to address concerns raised during the committee process.

Note: This summary reflects the bill’s stated provisions and the documented legislative action up to the latest available date.

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

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