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RC 601

Para ordenar al Departamento de la Familia del Gobierno de Puerto Rico que certifique e informe a la Cámara de Representantes la existencia, base legal, requisitos, procedimientos, términos y salvaguardas aplicables a cualquier mecanismo vigente de entrega o colocación voluntaria de menores en cuidado sustituto, incluida la “Autorización Voluntaria para Ubicación de un Menor en Cuidado Sustituto” reconocida en la Ley Núm. 57-2023; disponer la evaluación de viabilidad para que la tramitación administrativa inicial y/o la formalización del acuerdo correspondiente se complete en un término no mayor de cuarenta y ocho (48) horas, sin menoscabo de la seguridad del menor y del debido proceso; y, de no existir reglamentación, protocolo formal o procedimiento operativo vigente que permita la implementación uniforme de dicho mecanismo, ordenar el diseño y sometimiento de una propuesta formal de programa administrativo, con salvaguardas y coordinación interagencial, para consideración legislativa y fiscalizadora

2025-2028 Session

The bill requires the DFT to certify, report, and outline safeguards, procedures, and timelines for voluntary placement of minors in substitute care, and to assess a 48-hour proces

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Bill Summary · RC 601

Summary of Bill RC 601 (Session 2025-2028, Puerto Rico)

Purpose and Intent

  • To require the Puerto Rico Department of Family (Departamento de la Familia, DFT) to certify and report to the House of Representatives on the existence, legal basis, requirements, procedures, timelines, and safeguards of any current mechanism for voluntary delivery or placement of minors into substitute care.
  • This includes the “Voluntary Authorization for Location of a Minor in Substitute Care” recognized in Law 57-2023.
  • If a formal regulatory framework or operational procedures enabling uniform implementation of such mechanism do not exist, the bill directs the design and submission of a formal administrative program proposal with safeguards and interagency coordination for legislative consideration and oversight.

Key Provisions and Changes Proposed

Section 1 — Reporting and Certification Requirement

  • The DFT must, through its Secretary, provide the House with an official report certifying and documenting:
    • (a) Whether any mechanism exists for voluntary placement of a minor in substitute care, including the Voluntary Authorization for Location of a Minor in Substitute Care (as recognized in Law 57-2023).
    • (b) The legal and regulatory basis applicable to such mechanism, including statutes, promulgated regulations, circulars, operating guides, forms, and any formal or official relationships used by the DFT.
    • (c) Eligibility criteria, including what constitutes situations of neglect or abuse and the protections that apply to the voluntary mechanism.
    • (d) Step-by-step procedures used by the Department: intake, initial assessment, determinations, drafting and signing of the agreement, identification of placement resources, required notices, and handling of cases with indicators of neglect, maltreatment, or imminent risk.
    • (e) The terms governing the duration and extensions, and any activation of judicial supervision, including the 90/180-day timelines for voluntary placement and 72/48-hour emergency scenarios when the case qualifies for alternate emergency placement.
    • (f) Safeguards ensuring due process and protection of the minor, including required notices, informed consent documentation, access to guidance, and any internal review or complaint mechanisms.
    • (g) Whether there is a formal policy to avoid automatic criminalization merely for requesting or formalizing voluntary placement, and the scope and limits of that policy.
    • (h) Official institutional statistics on the use of the mechanism (number of cases, average duration, primary reasons for requests, outcomes), with confidentiality protections and without identifying minors or families.

Section 2 — 48-Hour Evaluation Standard

  • The DFT must conduct a technical-legal assessment of the viability of implementing, via regulation or internal policy, a standard to complete the initial administrative processing and formalization of a voluntary placement agreement within 48 hours, including:
    • (a) Institutional capacity, required resources, and 24/7 staff availability.
    • (b) Legal and safety risks to the minor.
    • (c) Consistency with current Law 57-2023 provisions and whether legislative amendments are needed for full implementation.
    • (d) Recommendations for best practices, including avenues for review and supervision if placements are protracted.

Section 3 — Program Design (If No Operational Framework Exists)

  • If there is no existing operational mechanism, the bill directs the design and submission of a formal administrative program proposal with safeguards and interagency coordination, for legislative consideration and oversight.

Who/What Is Affected

  • Primary: Department of the Family (DFT) of Puerto Rico, its policies, procedures, and administrative processes related to voluntary placement of minors in substitute care.
  • Secondary: Minors and their parents/guardians who may engage in voluntary placement mechanisms; interagency partners involved in child welfare, judicial supervision, and protections.
  • Legislative and fiscal oversight bodies (Cámara de Representantes) that would receive, review, and potentially fund or authorize the proposed program and any regulatory changes.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill has a reporting obligation requiring the DFT to certify and report current mechanisms and practices.
  • The DFT must evaluate the feasibility of a 48-hour processing standard and report findings.
  • If no uniform mechanism exists, the DFT must design a formal program proposal with safeguards for legislative consideration.
  • The bill was filed Feb 6, 2026, and has been referred to the Internal Affairs Commission; it has appeared in the first reading and was docketed for consideration.

Notes

  • The measure emphasizes safeguarding minors, informed parental participation, due process, and interagency coordination.
  • It seeks transparency through official reporting and data while maintaining confidentiality.

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

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