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PS 156

Para enmendar los Artículos 1.2, 1.3, 2.6, 3.13, 5.4, así como añadir los artículos 2.5-B y 2.5-C a la Ley Núm. 54 de 15 de agosto de 1989, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley para la Prevención e Intervención con la Violencia Doméstica”, a los fines de garantizar que la política pública existente sobre violencia doméstica sea de aplicación a las relaciones de noviazgo; aclarar que dentro de la definición estatutaria de relaciones de pareja se encuentra el noviazgo; enmendar formularios de órdenes de protección para facilitar la seguridad de la parte peticionaria en centros educativos y múltiples residencias; hacer compulsorio los talleres de violencia doméstica a las partes peticionadas en una orden de protección que sean menores de edad; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Extends DV protections to dating relationships, clarifies pareja to include noviazgo, updates protective order forms for schools/multiple residences, and requires DV workshops for

Derrotado a viva voz
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · PS 156

PS 156 — Summary of Amendments to the Domestic Violence Prevention and Intervention Act (Ley Núm. 54)

Overview

PS 156 seeks to broaden and clarify Puerto Rico’s domestic violence framework by extending its public policy to include dating relationships, clarifying the definition of “pareja” to explicitly include noviazgo, updating protective order forms for safety in schools and multiple residences, and mandating domestic violence workshops for minor respondents in protective orders. The bill was introduced on January 2, 2025 and, as of the latest actions, was defeated by voice vote.

What the bill would do (Key Provisions)

  • Amends Articles 1.2, 1.3, 2.6, 3.13, 5.4 and adds Articles 2.5-B and 2.5-C to Ley Núm. 54 (the Domestic Violence Act) to ensure the policy against domestic violence covers dating relationships.
  • Clarifies that the statutory definition of “pareja” includes dating relationships (noviazgo).
  • Amends forms used for protection orders to enhance the safety of the petitioner, specifically addressing contexts in educational settings and situations involving multiple residences.
  • Makes the domestic violence workshops mandatory for respondents who are minors and who are subject to a protective order.
  • Other related purposes intended to strengthen prevention and intervention in cases of dating violence.

Who would be affected

  • Individuals in dating relationships who might experience domestic violence.
  • Petitioners seeking protective orders, especially those with school-age children or who reside in multiple residences.
  • Minor respondents (under 18) in protective orders, who would be required to attend DV workshops.
  • Educational institutions and their stakeholders (as places of safety and reporting).
  • Judicial and law enforcement processes administering protective orders.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: January 2, 2025.
  • First Reading: January 16, 2025.
  • Referred to committees: January 16, 2025; subsequently moved through committee action on June 2, 2025 (referred and released from committees).
  • Senate actions: Released to the Senate calendar for Special Orders on June 19, 2025; downloaded in the Senate on June 19, 2025.
  • Status: Defeated by voice vote (derrotado a viva voz) on June 19, 2025.

Potential impacts if enacted

  • Strengthened protections for individuals in dating relationships by ensuring DV policy applies to noviazgo.
  • Improved safety for petitioners in educational environments and in households with multiple residences through updated protection order forms.
  • Increased accountability and access to intervention for minors accused in protective orders via mandatory DV workshops.
  • Administrative adjustments for schools, courts, and enforcement agencies to implement the revised definitions and procedures.

Legislative history (highlights)

  • Radicado (filed) January 2, 2025; referred to committees January 16, 2025.
  • Subsequent committee considerations and actions occurred in June 2025.
  • Final status: Defeated by voice vote in the Senate on June 19, 2025.

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

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