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Bill

PS 1082

Para establecer en el Departamento de Educación un sistema de pronto pago para los proveedores de terapias por remedio provisional a los estudiantes de educación especial; disponer un remedio informal y expedito para que los proveedores puedan hacer efectivos sus requerimientos de pago; disponer el pago de intereses por incumplimiento; y disponer reglamentación.

2025-2028 Session

Establishes a System of Prompt Payment to providers for provisional remedy therapies, with 20-day payment timelines and interest penalties for late payments.

Comisión no recomienda aprobación de la medida
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Bill Summary · PS 1082

Summary of Bill PS 1082 (Session 2025-2028, Puerto Rico)

1) Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a formal System of Prompt Payment (Sistema de Pronto Pago) within the Department of Education (Departamento de Educación) for providers of provisional remedy therapies (terapias por remedio provisional) to students in special education.
  • Create an informal, expedient process to resolve payment requests from providers.
  • Require payment of interest for late payments.
  • Provide for regulatory framework to implement the system.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

  • Article 3 – Definitions

    • Defines key terms: Department, Provider, Provisional Remedy (therapy services arranged when the Department cannot provide directly, via the SAEE), Secretary, and System of Prompt Payment.

  • Article 4 – Creation of the System

    • The Department must establish a System of Prompt Payment for invoicing, validation, and disbursement of funds to providers.
    • Features of the system may include:
    • Electronic invoicing.
    • Clear payment review terms: payments within 20 days after receipt of complete documentation.
    • A transparent follow-up/tracking system accessible to providers.
    • Assurance of budgetary availability to satisfy payments within the 20-day term.

  • Article 5 – Expedited Payment Requisition and Interest

    • If a payment is not made within the 20-day term, the provider can submit a written payment requisition to the Secretary with a 10-calendar-day deadline for a written response.
    • If no resolution exists, the Department must proceed with payment processing within 5 additional business days after the requisition.
    • Failure to pay within 10 working days after the requisition triggers interest charges equal to double the rate charged by Puerto Rico’s Department of Hacienda to late taxpayers, from the date of the requisition.
    • Provisions authorize informal, quick resolution of disputes and specify procedures to address any controversy.

  • Article 6 – Regulations

    • The Secretary will promulgate regulations necessary to implement the law.

  • Article 7 – Carve-outs (Salvedad)

    • The law does not apply if the provider fails to submit required information or if services were not provided adequately or legally, or for reasons of public interest that prevent payment.

  • Articles 8-9 – Supremacy and Severability

    • Establishes primacy of this law over conflicting guidance and ensures that unconstitutional portions don’t void remaining provisions.

  • Article 10 – Effective Date

    • The law takes effect immediately upon approval.

3) Who/What is Affected

  • Primary Affected Parties:

    • Providers of therapies for provisional remedies to students in the Puerto Rico Department of Education’s special education program.
    • The Department of Education (and the SAEE) responsible for approving and paying these services.

  • Impact Scope:

    • Aims to improve cash flow, stabilize provider operations, and ensure continuity of therapeutic services for students with disabilities.
    • Introduces a formal mechanism for faster payment processing and accountability through interest penalties for late payments.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Payment Timeline:

    • Target: payments processed within 20 days after receipt of a complete invoice, subject to regulatory details.

  • Dispute Resolution Timeline:

    • Requisition response: within 10 working days.
    • If unresolved, payment processing: within 5 additional business days.

  • Enforcement:

    • Late payments incur interest equal to double the Hacienda rate, calculated from the date of the requisition.

  • Regulatory Framework:

    • The Secretary must issue implementing regulations to operationalize the system.

5) Practical Considerations

  • The measure addresses administrative bottlenecks and aims to instill predictability in funding for private providers.
  • Establishes financial accountability with explicit penalties for delays.
  • Contains standard exceptions (carve-outs) related to documentation gaps, service inadequacy, regulatory conflicts, or public interest considerations.

Note: The bill was introduced in February 2026 and referred to committee; it is designated as a public policy bill focused on improving payments to providers within the education system.

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

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