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Puerto RicoPC 002120th Legislative Assembly (2025-2028)House

Para crear la "Ley del Portal Electrónico de Rastreo del Equipo de Recolección de Evidencia Forense de Violencia Sexual" para proporcionar a las víctimas información relacionada con el estatus del equipo, conocido en la comunidad científica como Kit de Agresión Sexual, "Sexual Assault Kit" (SAK, por sus siglas en inglés); disponer política pública; establecer las responsabilidades de las diferentes instituciones, departamentos y agencias; e implementar el sistema de rastreo que permita a las víctimas acceso a información relacionada con el estatus del Equipo de Recolección de Evidencia Forense de Violencia Sexual.

Sponsored By: Carlos J. Méndez Núñez (PNP)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Survivors can privately track assault kits

Puerto Rico creates an online evidence-kit portal for sexual-assault survivors, including those who have not filed a police report. It shows kit location, movement dates, testing status, final status, DNA database entries and matches, and estimated destruction dates. The portal displays no information that identifies the survivor. Staff cannot share portal information with third parties without written survivor consent after legal guidance, except where legally authorized. The portal is not the official evidence-handling record for court or agency proceedings.

Survivors get kit updates and guidance

Survivors can use a help line to ask about kit location, test dates, and results. They have rights to kit-status notices and case updates, including when a case closes or reopens. They can name someone else to receive information. Survivors who initially decline reporting or testing must receive guidance on later options and victim compensation under Law 183-1998. The forensic institute must send analysis findings to Justice, Police, and Health; Justice must actively notify survivors. Police also notify survivors in consultation with, or as ordered by, prosecutors. Health's victim-support center offers notification options through its help line and offices and publicizes these services. Notification staff must assess safety, use trauma-informed methods, offer support referrals, and document and respect decisions to decline notice.

Child survivors get safer, limited notices

For survivors under 18, Justice and Police must plan notices around the child's safety, privacy, and emotional needs. Plans must consider limited memory, missing family support, and available agency and community help. If staff determine through kit analysis that the child lives with the suspect, they must start child-protection steps. They must hold back information until the proper agencies intervene, using Law 57-2023 protections where applicable. Once a child's removal is approved and custody goes to the Department of the Family, results have strict sharing limits. Only legally authorized people directly involved in care or proceedings may receive them, including specified welfare staff, prosecutors, police, and treating professionals. Courts may review results when necessary, but only privately.

Survivors outside Puerto Rico get support

For survivors living outside Puerto Rico, Police and Justice must reasonably try to coordinate notices with local law enforcement. They must seek in-person notice when feasible and arrange community support, including alternatives when local agencies do not cooperate. Staff must check identity, respect refusal of notice, and arrange follow-up when the survivor wants it. For survivors abroad, Police may initiate contact with prosecutor agreement, including through known phone numbers. Staff must identify themselves, use trauma-informed methods, and follow safety rules for second contacts. Virtual follow-up safety rules include sharing the survivor's current address if medical assistance is needed.

Agencies must keep survivor tracking current

The law takes effect immediately, and covered kit handlers must join the portal within six months of enactment. This includes agencies, health facilities, private entities, and contractors that receive, store, transport, or preserve kits. Health's victim-support center runs the portal, registers kit numbers and distributing facilities, trains health staff, and manages access and outreach. Forensic staff must record receipt, testing milestones, DNA entries, transfers, and final status, and audit portal data. Police and health facilities must assign trained staff and record kit movements, whether or not a police report exists. All participants must protect privacy. The center must immediately convene Health, Forensic Sciences, Police, Justice, the technology service, and at least two experienced community organizations. This team must prepare manuals and regulations, coordinate launch and outreach, identify state and federal funding, and review effectiveness annually. It must report kit status to lawmakers before the next legislative session. Implementation costs come from the fiscal year 2025–2026 operating budget; the law specifies no dollar amount. Conflicting earlier administrative rules give way to this law, and future amendments must align with it.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Carlos J. Méndez Núñez

    PNP • House

Cosponsors

  • Wanda Del Valle Correa

    PNP • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 74 • No: 2

Senate vote • 6/25/2025

Aprobado por el Senado en Votación Final

Yes: 26 • No: 2

House vote • 4/7/2025

Aprobado por Cámara en Votación Final

Yes: 48 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Ley Núm. 104 — Firmada por la Gobernadora

    8/8/2025House

  2. Enviado a la Gobernadora

    7/11/2025Senate

  3. Firmado por el Presidente del Senado

    7/7/2025Senate

  4. Firmado por el Presidente de la Cámara

    6/30/2025House

  5. Se dispone que sea enrolado

    6/25/2025Senate

  6. Aprobado por el Senado en Votación Final

    6/25/2025Senate

  7. Aprobado sin enmiendas

    6/25/2025Senate

  8. En el Calendario de Ordenes Especiales del Senado

    6/25/2025Senate

  9. Remitido a la Comisión de Reglas y Calendario del Senado

    6/24/2025Senate

  10. 1er Informe Comisión rendido sin enmiendas

    6/24/2025Senate

  11. Vista Pública: Salón María Martínez de Pérez Almiroty

    6/11/2025Senate

  12. Referido a Comisión(es)

    4/10/2025Senate

  13. Aparece en Primera Lectura del Senado

    4/10/2025Senate

  14. Texto de Aprobación Final enviado al Senado

    4/7/2025House

  15. Aprobado por Cámara en Votación Final

    4/7/2025House

  16. Aprobado con enmiendas del informe

    4/7/2025House

  17. En el Calendario de Ordenes Especiales de la Cámara

    4/7/2025House

  18. Remitido a Comisión de Calendarios de la Cámara

    4/3/2025House

  19. Entirillado del Informe

    4/3/2025House

  20. 1er Informe Comisión rendido con enmiendas

    4/3/2025House

  21. Referido a Comisión(es)

    1/16/2025House

  22. Aparece en Primera Lectura de la Cámara

    1/16/2025House

  23. Radicado

    1/2/2025House

Bill Text

  • Se dispone que sea enrolado

    6/25/2025

    View

  • Texto de Aprobación Final enviado al Senado

    4/7/2025

    View

  • Radicado

    1/2/2025

    View

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