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RS 550

Para enmendar la Sección 3 de la R. del S. 24, según aprobada el 10 de febrero de 2025, a los fines de extender el término de tiempo de las Comisiones de Vivienda y Bienestar Social y de Gobierno del Senado de Puerto Rico, para rendir su informe final; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Extends the Senate commissions’ deadline to deliver a final, detailed report on fingerprint background checks, incorporating ongoing DS changes and broader access.

Texto de Aprobación Final en Senado
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Bill Summary · RS 550

Overview

  • Jurisdiction: Puerto Rico
  • Legislature: Senado de Puerto Rico
  • Bill: RS 550
  • Session: 2025-2028
  • Introduced by: Sra. Barlucea Rodríguez
  • Date (exposición de motivos): Referenced events through 2025; bill transmitted as of June 17, 2026
  • Title: Para enmendar la Sección 3 de la R. del S. 24, según aprobada el 10 de febrero de 2025, a los fines de extender el término de tiempo de las Comisiones de Vivienda y Bienestar Social y de Gobierno del Senado de Puerto Rico, para rendir su informe final; y para otros fines relacionados.

Purpose of the bill

  • The measure amends Section 3 of R. del S. 24 (as approved February 10, 2025) to extend the deadline by which the Senate’s Comisiones de Vivienda y Bienestar Social y de Gobierno must issue their final report.
  • The intent is to accommodate ongoing findings and recommendations from investigations into the implementation and verification of the fingerprint/background check system (Background Checks) and to update the final report accordingly.

Key provisions

  • Section 3 amendment:
    • The Comisiones de Vivienda y Bienestar Social y de Gobierno del Senado de Puerto Rico must file a detailed final report with findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
    • The deadline is extended to the 180 days after the approval of this resolution, and specifically by no later than the close of the 4th ordinary session (i.e., the report must be presented to the Senate Plenary within that period).
  • Section 2:
    • The resolution becomes effective immediately upon approval.

Context and background

  • The underlying R. del S. 24 directed the two Commissions to conduct an investigation into the implementation and verification of the biometric fingerprint background check system, identifying deficiencies and proposing public policies to improve and streamline its execution for citizens seeking certifications for ordinary/personal procedures, including job applications or renewals.
  • After holding two public hearings (February and March 2025) and presenting an initial partial report on May 19, 2025, discussions with agencies led to proposals by the Department of Health (DS) such as:
    • Extending the validity of certain certifications to three years provided there is a certificate of good conduct.
    • Establishing satellite offices around the island to reduce centralization and expand access.
  • The DS requested time to November 2026 to roll out these satellite offices gradually. This resolution aims to update the information in a comprehensive final report.

Affected parties and impact

  • Affected bodies:
    • Comisiones de Vivienda y Bienestar Social y de Gobierno del Senado de Puerto Rico (jointly responsible for the final report).
    • Department of Health (DS) and possibly other agencies involved in background checks and certification processes.
  • Affected individuals:
    • Citizens undergoing background checks, certification processes for employment or personal procedures, and renewal applications.
  • Potential impacts:
    • Provides an extended deadline for the final report, allowing more thorough analysis and incorporation of ongoing DS initiatives (e.g., extended certification validity and satellite offices).
    • May influence policy recommendations to improve accessibility and efficiency of background-check processes.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Original deadline (as per R. del S. 24): Final report within 180 days from approval, to be presented by the end of the 4th ordinary session.
  • Proposed change: Extend the final-report deadline to align with the ongoing implementation efforts and DS satellite-office rollout, with a final report due by the specified 180-day period after this resolution’s approval, in the 4th ordinary session.
  • Effective date: Immediate upon approval of this resolution.

Summary

RS 550 seeks to amend the timing requirement for the Senate’s Comisiones de Vivienda y Bienestar Social y de Gobierno to deliver their final, detailed report on the background-check system and related public policies. By extending the reporting window, the bill allows for incorporation of DS-driven changes (e.g., longer certification validity and broader access via satellite offices) and aims to produce a more comprehensive set of findings, conclusions, and recommendations for the Senate Plenary. The measure becomes effective immediately upon approval.

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

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