Para enmendar los Artículos 3, 6, 9 y 16 de la Ley Núm. 8-2004, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley Orgánica del Departamento de Recreación y Deportes”, a los fines de fortalecer el licenciamiento de entrenadores deportivos o recreacionales, incluyendo disciplinas como CrossFit, árbitros deportivos, y personas o entidades de academias deportivas, asociaciones, federaciones, gimnasios o wellness centers que ofrezcan orientación, servicios, ejercicios, eventos o dirijan/asistan en actividades deportivas/recreativas; explicitar requisitos para wellness centers y programas de alto riesgo; establecer aranceles escalados y asegurar que los fondos recaudados se dirijan exclusivamente al presupuesto del Departamento de Recreación y Deportes (DRD); reforzar sanciones y mecanismos de implementación; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico strengthens sports instructor and facility licensing with tiered fees and safety standards, directing all revenues to the Department of Recreation and Sports.

Derrotado a viva voz

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 911 amends Puerto Rico's organic law governing the Department of Recreation and Sports to establish stricter licensing requirements for sports trainers, recreational instructors, referees, and sports facility operators (including gyms, CrossFit centers, and wellness centers). The bill creates explicit safety standards for high-risk programs and implements a tiered fee structure, with all collected revenues directed exclusively to the Department of Recreation and Sports budget.

Why is this important

This legislation addresses potential public safety gaps in an unregulated fitness and sports instruction sector where inadequately trained personnel could cause injuries. Centralizing licensing and revenue creates accountability mechanisms while generating dedicated funding for sports infrastructure and oversight in Puerto Rico, particularly relevant given the expansion of high-intensity training programs like CrossFit.

Potential points of contention

Regulatory burden on small businesses: Gyms, independent trainers, and small sports academies may face increased compliance costs and administrative requirements that could disadvantage smaller operators versus larger chains

Definition ambiguity: Terms like "wellness centers," "high-risk programs," and "sports/recreational guidance" lack precise boundaries, potentially creating enforcement inconsistencies and disputes over which entities require licensing

Fee structure fairness: Scaled fees could disproportionately impact low-income communities and affordable fitness options while the bill doesn't specify how fees vary or whether waivers exist for underserved populations