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RC 714

Para ordenar a la Comisión de Seguridad Pública de la Cámara de Representantes de Puerto Rico realizar una urgente investigación exhaustiva en torno a la implementación del protocolo uniforme creado por el Departamento de Salud para la evaluación e intervención de las instituciones médico-hospitalarias para examinar a las víctimas sobrevivientes de un episodio de estrangulamiento o asfixie no letal y conocer el proceso establecido para el monitoreo a corto, mediano y largo plazo en protección de la salud e integridad de la persona afectada; así como conocer las notificaciones a la Policía de Puerto Rico de toda institución médico-hospitalaria cuando exista sospecha razonable de que el paciente fue o pudo haber sido víctima de estrangulamiento o asfixie no letal. Al igual, se faculta a la Comisión citar a las agencias y organizaciones sin fines de lucro pertinente en aras de que sometan comentarios y recomendaciones para que la ejecución de esta modalidad de maltrato sea una efectiva para prevenir y procesar los casos de violencia doméstica; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

The bill directs an urgent review of the Health Department’s protocol for evaluating and intervening in non-lethal strangulation/asphyxia, with improved survivor protection and pol

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Bill Summary · RC 714

Summary of RC 714 (Session 2025-2028, Puerto Rico)

Purpose and intent

  • RC 714 calls for the Puerto Rico House of Representatives’ Public Security Commission to conduct an urgent, comprehensive investigation into how the uniform protocol created by the Department of Health is being implemented.
  • The focus is on the evaluation and intervention of medical-hospital institutions in cases involving survivors of non-lethal strangulation or non-lethal asphyxia.
  • The bill aims to understand the short-, medium-, and long-term health protections and monitoring processes established for the affected person.
  • It also seeks to understand how medical facilities are notifying the Puerto Rico Police (PRPD) when there is reasonable suspicion that a patient was, or could have been, a victim of non-lethal strangulation or asphyxia.
  • Additionally, the bill empowers the Commission to summon relevant agencies and nonprofit organizations to provide comments and recommendations to improve the effectiveness of this modality of mistreatment prevention, response, and processing within domestic violence cases, among other related purposes.

Key provisions and changes

  • Mandated investigative inquiry by the Public Security Commission into:
    • Implementation of the uniform protocol from the Department of Health for evaluating and intervening in cases of non-lethal strangulation/asphyxia.
    • Procedures and timelines for short-, medium-, and long-term health monitoring and protection for survivors.
    • The process by which medical-hospital institutions notify PRPD when there is reasonable suspicion of strangulation/asphyxia victimization.
  • Authority to compel participation:
    • The Commission may summon agencies and relevant nonprofit organizations to present comments and recommendations.
  • Purpose of the inquiry:
    • To assess and improve the effectiveness of the protocol as a preventative and processing tool in domestic violence contexts.
  • Other related purposes:
    • The bill contemplates additional objectives connected to enhancing the protection, health, and integrity of affected individuals and ensuring proper coordination among entities.

Who or what would be affected

  • Medical-hospital institutions and healthcare providers involved in evaluating and treating survivors of non-lethal strangulation or asphyxia.
  • The Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) regarding mandatory notification procedures.
  • Government agencies with roles in health, safety, and domestic violence response (e.g., Department of Health).
  • Nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups focused on domestic violence prevention and survivor support.
  • The Commission on Public Security (as the investigative body) conducting the inquiry and issuing recommendations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Radicado (introduced) on 2026-06-04.
  • Procedural framework:
    • The Commission is authorized to conduct an urgent, exhaustive investigation.
    • It may issue subpoenas or compel testimony/participation by agencies and nonprofits as needed to obtain comments, data, and recommendations.
  • Timeline considerations:
    • The bill emphasizes urgency in conducting the investigation, but specific deadlines or timeframes for reporting results, interim findings, or final recommendations are not provided in the summary text available.
  • Potential follow-up actions:
    • Based on the investigation, the Commission could recommend changes to protocols, notification practices, inter-agency coordination, and survivor support mechanisms.

Potential impact and significance

  • Aims to strengthen the protection and health monitoring of survivors of non-lethal strangulation/asphyxia.
  • Seeks to improve consistency and timeliness of medical assessments, interventions, and police notifications.
  • Encourages stakeholder input from health, law enforcement, and nonprofit sectors to enhance domestic violence response.
  • Could lead to policy updates, training, and improved inter-agency coordination if gaps are identified through the investigation.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to a particular audience (e.g., policymakers, advocates, or healthcare providers) or add a section on potential fiscal or implementation considerations based on further bill text.

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

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