Puerto RicoPS 006320th Legislative Assembly (2025-2028)Senate

Para enmendar los Artículos 5, 6, 7, 8 y 9, añadir un nuevo Artículo 10 y reenumerar los actuales Artículos 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 y 15 como los Artículos 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 y 16 de la Ley 141-2019, conocida como la Ley de Transparencia y Procedimiento Expedito para el Acceso a la Información Pública, con el fin de facilitar su implementación y asegurar el cumplimiento del Gobierno de Puerto Rico con su obligación de adherirse a la política pública establecida mediante el citado estatuto; fijar penalidades por su incumplimiento; y para otros fines relacionados.

Sponsored By: Thomas Rivera Schatz (PNP)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Free court help for records denials

After a denial or missed deadline, including an allowed extension, you can file a special petition in San Juan's Court of First Instance. Filing and court notification are free, and a simple public form is available. You generally need no lawyer; requiring one needs specifically explained extraordinary circumstances. The entity must respond in writing within 10 business days after service. When circumstances require a hearing, the court must hold it within three business days. A written, reasoned ruling is due within 10 days after the agency response or hearing. In court proceedings, the agency has a strict 30-day period to address the request, counted from denial or the unanswered deadline. Rulings can be appealed to the Court of Appeals. Failure to obey a ruling can bring fines up to $100 daily, capped at $18,000 total. These penalty rules also cover earlier sanctions still unpaid when the law took effect, immediately upon approval.

More public records online in Puerto Rico

Covered Puerto Rico government entities must regularly publish updated information about their work, oversight, and routinely produced public records. Records already free on an official government website when requested bypass the formal request process. Information officers must help requesters and register and number requests in the order received. They must post monthly reports showing request counts, information sought, and each request's status.

Records deadlines come with request rules

Anyone can request Puerto Rico public records in writing or electronically without proving a special or legal interest. Send requests to the agency head or relevant legislative or judicial branch president, and copy the information officer. Include a mailing address, email address, and description of the records; improper notice makes the request defective. Records of 300 folios or fewer, or less than three years old, have a 20-business-day deadline. Records over 300 folios or more than three years old have a 30-business-day deadline. Officers can add one 20-business-day extension with notice and reasons before the initial deadline expires. Executive-branch regional offices must email the central office within 48 hours and fulfill requests within 30 business days.

Records format choices have cost limits

You can choose paper, a PDF, a web link, or in-person review for existing Puerto Rico public records. Agencies must honor available formats unless they have a valid reason, and need not create documents absent when requested. If your format is unavailable, the agency must tell you which formats are available. Extraordinary delivery expense requires an available or lower-cost format and a way to document effective delivery. Records can also arrive by email or First Class mail; you pay postage and related costs for mailed copies.

Written denials preserve confidential record limits

Puerto Rico government entities must give written legal reasons when they deny a records request or miss the deadline. Personnel files and similar information are excluded from public information, protecting government workers' privacy. Records classified as confidential by law, regulation, or court decision before the request cannot be disclosed.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Thomas Rivera Schatz

    PNP • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Carmelo J. Ríos Santiago

    PNP • Senate

  • Héctor Joaquín Sánchez Álvarez

    PNP • Senate

  • Jeison Rosa Ramos

    PNP • Senate

  • Karen Michelle Román Rodríguez

    PNP • Senate

  • Luis Daniel Colón La Santa

    PNP • Senate

  • Wilmer Reyes Berríos

    PNP • Senate

  • Ángel Toledo López

    PNP • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 47 • No: 33

House vote • 11/13/2025

Aprobado por Cámara en Votación Final

Yes: 29 • No: 24

Senate vote • 10/14/2025

Aprobado por el Senado en Votación Final

Yes: 18 • No: 9

Actions Timeline

  1. Ley Núm. 156 — Firmada por la Gobernadora

    12/13/2025Senate
  2. Enviado a la Gobernadora

    12/5/2025House
  3. Firmado por el Presidente de la Cámara

    12/1/2025House
  4. Firmado por el Presidente del Senado

    11/20/2025Senate
  5. Se dispone que sea enrolado

    11/18/2025Senate
  6. Senado aprueba informe de Comisión de Conferencia

    11/18/2025Senate
  7. Cámara aprueba informe de Comité de Conferencia

    11/18/2025House
  8. Entirillado Electrónico Informe de Conferencia

    11/18/2025House
  9. 1er Informe de Comité de Conferencia rendido

    11/18/2025House
  10. Se accede a Conferenciar

    11/18/2025House
  11. Se solicita Comité de Conferencia

    11/18/2025House
  12. Cuerpo de Origen no concurre con enmiendas

    11/18/2025Senate
  13. Aprobado por Cámara en Votación Final

    11/13/2025House
  14. Aprobado con enmiendas en sala

    11/13/2025House
  15. En el Calendario de Ordenes Especiales de la Cámara

    11/13/2025House
  16. Descargado en Cámara

    11/13/2025House
  17. Referido a Comisión(es)

    11/6/2025House
  18. Relevado de Comisión(es)

    11/6/2025House
  19. Referido a Comisión(es)

    10/23/2025House
  20. Aparece en Primera Lectura de la Cámara

    10/23/2025House
  21. Texto de Aprobación Final enviado a la Cámara

    10/14/2025Senate
  22. Aprobado por el Senado en Votación Final

    10/14/2025Senate
  23. Aprobado con enmiendas en sala

    10/14/2025Senate
  24. Aprobado con enmiendas del informe

    10/14/2025Senate
  25. En el Calendario de Ordenes Especiales del Senado

    10/14/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Se dispone que sea enrolado

    11/18/2025

  • Texto de Aprobación Final enviado a la Cámara

    10/14/2025

  • Radicado

    1/2/2025

  • Radicado (Senado mirror)

    1/2/2025

Related Bills

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