Para enmendar los artículos 15.3 y 18.0 de la Ley 239-2004, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley General de Sociedades Cooperativas de Puerto Rico de 2004”, con el propósito de eliminar el uso de lenguaje sexista y promover la igualdad de género; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Eliminate sexist language in Ley 239-2004 Articles 15.3 and 18.0 to promote gender-neutral terms and gender equality in cooperative governance.

Derrotada por el Senado en Votación Final

Title and Purpose

Full Title: Para enmendar los artículos 15.3 y 18.0 de la Ley 239-2004, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley General de Sociedades Cooperativas de Puerto Rico de 2004”, con el propósito de eliminar el uso de lenguaje sexista y promover la igualdad de género; y para otros fines relacionados.

Intent: Modernize the language of the Cooperative Societies Law to eliminar lenguaje sexista (eliminate sexist language) and advance gender equality in the legal framework governing cooperatives in Puerto Rico.

Key Provisions (Proposed Changes)

Note: Based on the title, the bill targets Articles 15.3 and 18.0 of Ley 239-2004 (as amended). While the exact text of the amendments is not provided in the summary, the typical scope of such changes would include:
- Revisions to gendered language in statutory provisions (e.g., replacing masculine/feminine forms with gender-neutral terms).
- Clarifications to definitions or roles within cooperative governance to ensure equal treatment regardless of gender.
- Possible alignment of terminology to contemporary standards of inclusivity in corporate or cooperative law.

Likely Areas Affected

Definitions and terminology: Gendered terms in articles 15.3 and 18.0 replaced with neutral or inclusive language.

Governing provisions: References to members, directors, officers, and others may be updated to avoid gender bias (e.g., “he/she” replaced with “the member” or “they” where appropriate).

Compliance and enforcement: Any penalties, procedures, or rules tied to the language of the statute may be adjusted to reflect inclusive terminology.

Affected Parties

Cooperatives registered under Ley 239-2004: Cooperatives and their governing bodies would implement the language changes.

Members and participants: All members, employees, officers, and directors of cooperatives could be affected insofar as wording relates to eligibility, governance, rights, and duties.

Regulatory and legal stakeholders: Agencies or bodies responsible for overseeing cooperative law would need to apply the revised language.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

Status: Radicado (filed) as of 2026-05-05.

Legislative Path: As a bill proposing textual amendments, it would typically undergo committee review, hearings, and potential amendments before full chamber consideration, followed by the other legislative house (if bicameral), and ultimately the Governor's signature or veto.

Effective Date: The summary does not specify a retroactive or future effective date. If enacted, the bill would generally include an effective date for when the updated language and provisions take effect. Stakeholders should look for explicit dates in the final enacted text.

Potential Impact and Rationale

Legal clarity and equality: Promotes gender-neutral drafting to reduce ambiguity and ensure equal treatment under the law.

Administrative alignment: Helps ensure cooperative governance documents and practices align with modern standards of inclusivity.

Interpretation and enforcement: May simplify interpretation by reducing gender-specific references and potential gender-bias questions.

If you have access to the bill’s full text or a legislative analysis, I can provide a more precise section-by-section breakdown of the exact amendments to Articles 15.3 and 18.0, including any transitional provisions and deadlines.

Bill