Puerto RicoPS 099720th Legislative Assembly (2025-2028)SenateWALLET

Para enmendar el Artículo 1; enmendar el inciso (c) del Artículo 3; y enmendar las incises (a), (b) y (d) del Artículo 8 de la Ley 163-2024, conocida coma "Ley para la Protección, Seguridad, Integración, Bienestar y Desarrollo Integral de las Personas con las Trastornos del Espectro Antista", a las fines de uniformar la terminología de la Ley, atemperar las definiciones al Manual Diagnóstico y Estadístico de las Trastornos Mentales (DSM-5), reforzar la composición interdisciplinaria de las equipos de servicios en las Centros de Autismo, disponer la acreditación de las Centros y de sus proveedores en las planes médicos comerciales y en el Plan de Salud del Gobierno; establecer mecanismos de seguimiento y fiscalización del cumplimiento de la Ley; y clarificar las competencias entre el Coordinador Interinstitucional de Servicios y el Comité Interinstitucional de Servicios; y para otros fines relacionados.

Sponsored By: Thomas Rivera Schatz (PNP)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Autism care for youth through age 21

Puerto Rico's health department must serve children and youth with special needs from birth through age 21, including age 21. Its Regional Pediatric Centers and Autism Centers must provide autism screening, diagnosis, intervention, and treatment. Centers must coordinate with Department support programs and follow evidence-based clinical guidelines. Care teams must have at least three professionals from different fields, including a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist and a physician. Teams can adjust to patient needs, local staff availability, and medical advances; staff shortages or extraordinary cases do not bar care. The law standardizes autism terms and aligns definitions with DSM-5, the clinical diagnostic manual, or successor standards. These changes took effect upon approval and do not reduce existing autism rights.

Health plans must recognize autism care

The health department must ensure Government Health Plan insurers certify its listed centers for specialized autism screening, diagnosis, and treatment. It must arrange provider accreditation through commercial and Government Health Plan insurers, recognizing qualified center providers as highly qualified. Insurers must accept diagnoses from properly trained professionals regardless of whether they hold a master's or doctoral degree. Plans must pay for care by licensed, qualified physical, occupational, speech-language, and other care-team professionals. The department must monitor and enforce compliance and report yearly to the Legislature on certifications, services, wait times, and steps supporting continuous access.

Coordinators help families connect autism services

The health department must appoint or hire a services coordinator in every service region and assign each autism patient case. Every center case involving a minor with autism must be referred to and served by a coordinator. Coordinators create individual service plans across a person's life and connect referrals, agency services, transitions, and follow-up. They lead interagency meetings and keep an updated autism resource bank for families and professionals. Coordinators handle administration and agency coordination, not clinical care or therapy, which remain reserved for licensed health professionals. The health secretary or a chosen representative leads the existing interagency services committee; coordinator meetings do not replace its authority. If part of the law is ruled unconstitutional, the remaining valid provisions stay in effect.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Thomas Rivera Schatz

    PNP • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Brenda Pérez Soto

    PNP • Senate

  • Héctor Joaquín Sánchez Álvarez

    PNP • Senate

  • Jamie Barlucea Rodríguez

    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: 76 • No: 1

House vote • 8/17/2026

Aprobado por Cámara en Votación Final

Yes: 52 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/19/2026

Aprobado por el Senado en Votación Final

Yes: 24 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Ley Núm. 199 — Firmada por la Gobernadora

    9/28/2026Senate
  2. Enviado a la Gobernadora

    9/18/2026House
  3. Firmado por el Presidente de la Cámara

    9/14/2026House
  4. Firmado por el Presidente del Senado

    9/11/2026Senate
  5. Se dispone que sea enrolado

    9/8/2026House
  6. Cuerpo de Origen concurre con enmiendas

    9/8/2026Senate
  7. Aprobado por Cámara en Votación Final

    8/17/2026House
  8. Aprobado con enmiendas en sala

    8/17/2026House
  9. Aprobado con enmiendas del informe

    8/17/2026House
  10. En el Calendario de Ordenes Especiales de la Cámara

    8/17/2026House
  11. Remitido a Comisión de Calendarios de la Cámara

    6/25/2026House
  12. Entirillado del Informe

    6/25/2026House
  13. 1er Informe Comisión rendido con enmiendas

    6/25/2026House
  14. Referido a Comisión(es)

    4/7/2026House
  15. Aparece en Primera Lectura de la Cámara

    4/7/2026House
  16. Texto de Aprobación Final enviado a la Cámara

    3/19/2026Senate
  17. Aprobado por el Senado en Votación Final

    3/19/2026Senate
  18. Aprobado con enmiendas en sala

    3/19/2026Senate
  19. Aprobado con enmiendas del informe

    3/19/2026Senate
  20. En el Calendario de Ordenes Especiales del Senado

    3/19/2026Senate
  21. Remitido a la Comisión de Reglas y Calendario del Senado

    3/12/2026Senate
  22. Entirillado del Informe

    3/12/2026Senate
  23. 1er Informe Comisión rendido con enmiendas

    3/12/2026Senate
  24. Referido a Comisión(es)

    1/29/2026Senate
  25. Aparece en Primera Lectura del Senado

    1/29/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Se dispone que sea enrolado

    9/8/2026

  • Texto de Aprobación Final enviado a la Cámara

    3/19/2026

  • Radicado

    1/27/2026

  • Radicado (Senado mirror)

    1/27/2026

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