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PC 775

Para enmendar los Artículos 9.03, 9.05 y 9.06 de la Ley 255-2002, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley de Sociedades Cooperativas de Ahorro y Crédito de 2002”, a los fines de ajustar las cuantías de las sanciones administrativas; establecer expresamente la exclusión del beneficio de sentencia suspendida o probatoria en los casos de convicción por las conductas delictivas tipificadas; e incorporar la pena de restitución como sanción de carácter obligatorio.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico bill increases credit union fraud penalties, bans suspended sentences for convictions, and mandates restitution to victims.

Vista Pública: Salón de Audiencias #2
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Bill Summary · PC 775

Legislative bill overview

Bill PC 775 amends Puerto Rico's 2002 Cooperative Savings and Credit Law (Ley 255-2002) to increase administrative penalties, explicitly prohibit suspended or probationary sentences for certain criminal convictions related to credit union misconduct, and make restitution a mandatory penalty. The bill targets stricter enforcement against financial crimes within cooperative credit institutions.

Why is this important

Credit unions handle members' savings and loans, making fraud or mismanagement directly harmful to vulnerable populations who rely on these institutions. Strengthening penalties and eliminating sentence suspensions aims to deter financial crimes and increase accountability, while mandatory restitution ensures victims recover losses. This reflects growing concern about protecting cooperative members' financial security.

Potential points of contention

  • Severity of penalties: Eliminating suspended or probationary sentences removes judicial discretion and may result in disproportionately harsh outcomes for first-time or minor offenders, raising proportionality concerns
  • Restitution enforcement: Mandatory restitution sounds beneficial but is difficult to enforce if convicted individuals lack funds; unclear how this addresses cases where restitution becomes practically impossible
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill references "conductas delictivas tipificadas" (specified criminal conduct) without clearly defining which specific crimes apply, potentially creating legal interpretation disputes

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

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