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PC 79

Para enmendar la Sección 2 de la Ley Núm. 103 de 29 de junio de 1955, según enmendada, a los fines de excluir de los beneficios de sentencia suspendida a todo menor de veintiún (21) años de edad que resulte convicto por los Artículos 401 y 411 de la Ley Núm. 4 de 23 de junio de 1971, según enmendada, los Artículos 6.04, 6.09, 6.11, 6.14 y los incisos (b) y (c) del Artículo 6.16 de la Ley 168-2019, según enmendada; o en la tentativa de cualquiera de los delitos excluidos.

2025-2028 Session

Bill PC 79 eliminates suspended sentences for minors under 21 convicted of specified drug trafficking offenses, mandating incarceration instead of judicial discretion in sentencing.

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Bill Summary · PC 79

Legislative bill overview

Bill PC 79 proposes to amend Puerto Rico's suspended sentence law to exclude minors under 21 years old convicted of specific drug trafficking and drug manufacturing offenses from receiving suspended sentences. The affected offenses include various violations under the Drug Law (Ley 4-1971) and the Controlled Substances Act (Ley 168-2019), as well as attempted commission of these crimes.

Why is this important

This bill would eliminate judicial discretion in sentencing for young offenders convicted of serious drug crimes, mandating incarceration rather than alternative sentences. This represents a significant hardening of juvenile criminal justice policy that could permanently impact thousands of young people's lives through incarceration records and loss of rehabilitation opportunities during formative years.

Potential points of contention

  • Developmental neuroscience vs. public safety: Research shows adolescent brains continue developing until age 25, raising questions about whether blanket incarceration serves rehabilitation or recidivism reduction
  • Racial and socioeconomic disparities: Drug enforcement historically targets specific communities disproportionately; removing sentencing flexibility may amplify existing inequities in the criminal justice system
  • Rehabilitation opportunities: Suspended sentences often include treatment and supervision conditions; mandatory incarceration eliminates alternatives that may be more effective for addiction-related offenses
  • Judicial discretion concerns: The bill removes judges' ability to consider individual circumstances, prior record, or mitigating factors when sentencing young offenders

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

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