Overview: Bill Number: PS 349, Title: Para enmendar los artículos 2, 3, 4, 5 y 6 de la Ley 215-2002, según enmendada, conocida como "Ley de Promoción de Internados Cooperativistas de Puerto Rico", con el propósito de proveer una nueva fuente de financiamiento para solventar los internados establecidos mediante esta Ley, a través del auspicio que tengan a bien hacer empresas, agrupaciones, instituciones sin fines de lucro, sociedades y entidades cooperativas o corporativas del sector privado, por los ciudadanos en particular, así como por entidades gubernamentales, federales, estatales y municipales; enmendar el Artículo 6, de la Ley 198-2002, según enmendada, conocida como "Ley Habilitadora del Fondo de Inversión y Desarrollo Cooperativo", a los fines de atemperarla con las disposiciones de la presente Ley; hacer correcciones técnicas; y para otros fines relacionados, Status: Referido a Comisión(es), Introduced: February 19, 2025, Classification: bill.
Purpose and Intent: The main purpose of this bill is to amend the "Law for the Promotion of Cooperative Internships in Puerto Rico" to provide a new source of funding to support the internships established under this law. The bill aims to enable sponsorship from private sector companies, non-profit organizations, cooperatives, and government entities at the federal, state, and municipal levels, as well as individual citizens, to help finance the cooperative internship program.
Key Provisions:
- Amends Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the "Law for the Promotion of Cooperative Internships in Puerto Rico"
- Introduces a new source of funding for the cooperative internship program through sponsorship from private sector entities, non-profit organizations, cooperatives, and government agencies
- Allows individual citizens to also contribute to the funding of the internship program
- Amends Article 6 of the "Enabling Law of the Investment and Cooperative Development Fund" to align it with the provisions of the current bill
Affected Parties and Impacts:
- The cooperative internship program and its participants, who will benefit from the new funding sources
- Private sector companies, non-profit organizations, cooperatives, and government entities that may choose to sponsor the internship program
- Individual citizens who may contribute to the funding of the internship program
Procedural and Timeline Considerations:
- The bill has been referred to the relevant committee(s) for further consideration and review.
- The legislative process will continue, with the possibility of amendments and further deliberations before a final vote.
