Para enmendar los Artículos 139, 144, 146, 147, 148, 149 y 152 de la Ley Núm. 146 de 30 de julio de 2012, según enmendada, conocida como “Código Penal de Puerto Rico”, a los fines de aumentar ciertas penas, imponer revocación indefinida de licencia de conducir, prohibir aplicación de concurso de delitos, requerir cumplimiento consecutivo de penas, mandar tratamiento bajo AMSSCA, requerir registro en el Registro de Ofensores Sexuales, imponer multas para fondo de Centros P.I.T.I., expedir órdenes de alejamiento permanentes, y prohibir sentencias suspendidas; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico bill increases sexual offense penalties with mandatory consecutive sentencing, permanent license revocation, lifetime sex offender registration, and eliminates judges' discretion in alternative sentencing options.

Comisión no recomienda aprobación de la medida

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 907 amends Puerto Rico's Criminal Code to impose stricter penalties for sexual offenses, including increased prison sentences, permanent driver's license revocation, mandatory consecutive sentencing (no concurrent sentences), mandatory treatment through AMSSCA (a specialized program), lifetime sex offender registration, permanent restraining orders, and prohibition of suspended sentences. The bill also creates fines directed toward funding P.I.T.I. Centers (specialized treatment facilities).

Why is this important

This legislation significantly hardens the criminal justice response to sexual offenses in Puerto Rico by eliminating judicial discretion in sentencing and removing alternative sentencing options. The changes affect case outcomes, incarceration lengths, and post-release monitoring, with budgetary implications for both the corrections system and specialized treatment centers.

Potential points of contention

Judicial discretion: Mandatory consecutive sentencing and prohibition of suspended sentences remove judges' ability to tailor penalties to individual circumstances, which some view as inflexible and potentially unjust in edge cases

Rehabilitation vs. punishment: Mandatory consecutive sentencing may prioritize incapacitation over rehabilitation, potentially reducing incentives for behavioral change during incarceration

Constitutional concerns: Permanent driver's license revocation and lifetime sex offender registration raise questions about proportionality of punishment and rehabilitation prospects after sentence completion

Resource burden: Mandatory AMSSCA treatment and P.I.T.I. Center funding require substantial appropriations during economic constraints

Implementation timeline: The bill creates significant operational demands on corrections, treatment facilities, and court administration systems