Para establecer la “Ley Especial de Compensación Extraordinaria para el Personal de Sala de Operaciones de Puerto Rico”, disponiendo para que el exceso de las cuarenta (40) horas trabajadas durante cualquier semana de trabajo le sea pagado a los técnicos quirúrgicos y de ortopedia, a razón de tiempo doble del tipo de salario convenido para las horas regulares, independientemente de si estos prestan sus servicios, en el sector público o privado, y que dicho ingreso esté exento de tributación; enmendar la Sección 1031.02 de la Ley 1-2011, según enmendada, conocida como “Código de Rentas Internas de Puerto Rico de 2011”; y el Artículo 6 de la Ley Núm. 379 de 15 de mayo de 1948, según enmendada, comúnmente llamada “Ley para Establecer la Jornada de Trabajo en Puerto Rico”, a los fines de atemperar ambas leyes, con la presente; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Bill requires operating room technicians in Puerto Rico to receive double-time pay for hours over 40 weekly, exempt from taxes, affecting both public and private healthcare sectors.

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Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 363 establishes special compensation rules for operating room personnel (surgical and orthopedic technicians) in Puerto Rico, requiring double-time pay for all hours worked beyond 40 per week, regardless of public or private sector employment. The bill also exempts this overtime compensation from income taxation and amends Puerto Rico's labor and tax codes accordingly.

Why is this important

Operating room technicians perform highly specialized, physically and mentally demanding work under critical conditions. This bill directly affects thousands of healthcare workers' take-home pay and establishes a precedent for sector-specific labor protections. The tax exemption component significantly increases the actual benefit value while potentially impacting government revenue.

Potential points of contention

Sector-wide precedent: Applying double-time pay only to OR technicians may create equity concerns among other healthcare workers (nurses, anesthesiologists, radiologic technicians) performing similarly demanding roles who would not receive equivalent protections.

Tax exemption fiscal impact: Exempting overtime income from taxation reduces government revenue and raises questions about whether this benefit should apply universally or be limited to specific income thresholds.

Implementation burden: Private healthcare facilities may face significant payroll restructuring costs, potentially affecting hiring practices, scheduling flexibility, or service delivery in smaller facilities.

Wage inflation concerns: Mandated double-time pay could pressure overall compensation structures and create inflationary pressures in Puerto Rico's healthcare labor market.