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RS 512

Para ordenar a la Comisión de Vivienda y Bienestar Social del Senado de Puerto Rico, en conjunto con la Comisión de Familia, Mujer, Personas de la Tercera Edad y Población con Diversidad Funcional e Impedimentos del Senado de Puerto Rico a llevar a cabo una investigación sobre el cumplimiento del Gobierno de Puerto Rico, el Departamento de la Familia, la Oficina de Gerencia y Presupuesto, las agencias concernidas y la Comisión para Combatir la Pobreza Infantil y la Desigualdad Social en Puerto Rico con las disposiciones de la Ley Núm. 84-2021, conocida como la “Ley de Política Pública de Puerto Rico para Combatir la Pobreza Infantil y la Desigualdad Social”; evaluar el estado actual de la Comisión creada por dicha Ley; examinar la composición, nombramientos, reuniones, plan de trabajo, informes, uso de fondos, cumplimiento de metas, coordinación interagencial, creación de subcomités, recomendaciones de política pública y demás deberes impuestos por dicha Ley; autorizar la citación de funcionarios, requerimiento de documentos, celebración de vistas públicas, vistas ejecutivas, inspecciones oculares, referidos a agencias con jurisdicción y cualquier otro trámite necesario para cumplir con esta investigación; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

The bill authorizes a joint Senate investigation to assess compliance with Law 84-2021 and the Commission on Child Poverty, focusing on coordination, effectiveness, and progress to

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Bill Summary · RS 512

Summary of RS 512 (Session 2025-2028, Puerto Rico)

Purpose and intent

  • Authorizes and directs a joint investigation by two Senate committees (Commission of Housing and Welfare, and Commission on Family, Women, Elderly, and People with Functional Diversity and Impediments) to assess how well Puerto Rico is complying with Law No. 84-2021, the Public Policy Law to Combat Child Poverty and Social Inequality.
  • Evaluates the current status of the Commission created by Law 84-2021 and whether it is active, properly constituted, and operating legally.
  • Identify gaps, progress, funding use, interagency coordination, and alignment with 2025 intermediate and longer-term poverty-reduction goals (2025, 2027, 2032).

Key provisions and changes proposed

  • Section 1: Establishes the required joint investigation by the two Senate commissions to examine compliance with Law 84-2021 and the current state of the Commission for Combating Child Poverty and Social Inequality.
  • Section 2: Outlines specific topics the investigation will cover, including:
    • Formal constitution of the Commission under Law 84-2021 and current membership (governmental reps, nonprofit representatives, community leaders).
    • Whether appointments were made in accordance with term lengths, regional distribution, selection criteria, and legislative notification.
    • Certification of appointees by participating agencies and their authority to decide.
    • Monthly meetings, agendas, minutes, attendance, and meeting records.
    • Existence and content of a work plan; submission to Governor’s Office and Legislature.
    • Initial 90-day report and subsequent semiannual operation/decisions/recommendations reports.
    • Creation of subcommittees or workgroups for topics such as education, economic security, taxation, employment, barriers to work, human capital development, health access, and food security.
    • Development and implementation of short-, medium-, and long-term government plans/strategies to combat child poverty and inequality.
    • Evaluation of studies/recommendations mandated by Law 84-2021, including key reports.
    • Establishment of metrics, indicators, data baselines, monitoring mechanisms, and methodologies for meeting 2025, 2027, and 2032 goals.
    • Actions toward meeting the 2025 intermediate goal of reducing child poverty to 48% (and 39% by 2027).
    • Policy recommendations, legislative proposals, economic measures, and administrative suggestions to Governor and Legislature.
    • Evaluation or oversight of related laws, resolutions, administrative orders, and programs.
    • Identification of employment barriers (child care, extended school hours, training, incentives, workforce detachment issues).
    • Compilation of federal/state funding sources to reduce child poverty and inequality and promote employment.
    • Requests to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for funding and annual budget requests.
    • Oversight of funds appropriated under Joint Resolution 8-2021 for a pilot anti-poverty program and information/public policy infrastructure.
    • Identification of duplications, inaction, miscoordination, or conflicts among the 84-2021 Commission and other programs.
    • Real coordination among multiple agencies (e.g., Family, Agriculture, Education, Finance, Economic Development, Health, Housing, OMB, socio-economic development office) plus nonprofits and community leaders.
    • Identification of any failures or deficiencies impeding effective implementation.
    • Recommendations for legislative, administrative, budgeting, or referential actions to ensure compliance with Law 84-2021.
  • Section 3: Empowers the commissions to compel testimony, demand documents, hold public or executive views, conduct site inspections, require appearances of officials and other stakeholders, and refer information to applicable agencies.
  • Section 4: Lists specific documentary requests the commissions may obtain (appointment certifications, communications among key offices, meeting records, initial and semiannual reports, subcommittee materials, plans, metrics, budgets, and federal/state funding documents related to the law).
  • Section 5: Conducts the investigation under Senate Rule 14, applying standard rules for plans, deponents’ rights, evidence handling, reporting, and votes.
  • Section 6: Requires the commissions to issue a final report within 180 days of approval, detailing:
    • Determinations of compliance or noncompliance with each principal duty of Law 84-2021.
    • Current roster of Commission members and vacancies.
    • Meeting history and any unheld meetings.
    • Timeliness of required reports and status of 2025/2027 readiness.
    • Use and availability of funds, and any deficiencies.
    • Legislative and administrative recommendations to ensure lawful compliance.
  • Section 7: Effective immediately upon approval.

Who and what would be affected

  • Government agencies involved in child poverty and social inequality policy (e.g., Departamento de la Familia, Oficina de Gerencia y Presupuesto, and other related agencies).
  • The Commission for Combating Child Poverty and Social Inequality (and its subcommittees/workgroups).
  • Governor and the Puerto Rico Legislature, which receive findings, reports, and recommendations.
  • Public and private stakeholders, including nonprofits, community leaders, and experts, who may be cited or required to provide information.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Investigative process can include citaciones, document requests, public and executive hearings, and ocular inspections.
  • Final report due within 180 days from approval of this resolution.
  • Investigation aligns with evaluating progress toward 2025, 2027, and 2032 poverty-reduction goals and 2025 interim target.

Potential impact

  • Provides a formal, structured review of compliance with the 2021 public policy law.
  • Could lead to reforms, targeted funding, or administrative changes to strengthen interagency coordination and progress toward poverty reduction and reduced social inequality.
  • Increases transparency and accountability for the Commission and involved agencies.

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

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