Esta ley enmienda la Ley Núm. 227 de 12 de agosto de 1999, conocida como la "Ley para Implantar la Política Pública sobre Prevención del Suicidio", para autorizar al Secretario del Departamento de Salud y a otros funcionarios públicos miembros de la Comisión para la Implantación de la Política Pública sobre Prevención del Suicidio a delegar su participación en un representante.
(Approved December 31, 2002)
To amend the first paragraph of subsection
(a) Section 3 of Act No. 227 of August 12, 1999, known as the "Act to Implement the Public Policy on Suicide Prevention," in order to authorize the Secretary of the Department of Health to delegate his/her participation before the Commission, on a representative.
The Legislature of Puerto Rico has recognized that suicide is the most extreme statement of violence, since it embodies self-inflicted violence. It is an act of violence against oneself and against others. On our Island, violence is a vast social and health problem that has reached great and dangerous proportions. It has been established that there are many factors that induce suicide, and its impact on persons thus affected brings about a significant social and economic impact in terms of productive life.
In view of this situation, the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico developed a public policy through the approval of Act No. 227 of August 12, 1999. Pursuant to this legislation, a Commission for the Implementation of the Public Policy on Suicide Prevention was established, composed of fifteen (15) members, including the Secretary of the Department of Health, the Administrator of the Mental Health and AntiAddiction Services Administration, the Executive Director of the Health Services Administration, the Secretary of the Sports and Recreation Department, the Secretary of the Department of Housing, the Secretary of
the Department of the Family, the Secretary of the Department of Education, the Secretary of the Department of Justice, the Secretary of the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, the Superintendent of the Puerto Rico Police, the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources, and four (4) persons representing the private sector and clients, two (2) of which shall be representatives of nonprofit organizations that render services to suicideprone persons in Puerto Rico, and one (1) representative of the families that are clients.
However, it is generally recognized, that these public officials hold demanding positions that require a great deal of attention and time. Therefore, they are limited in devoting the needed time to the Commission, which, on many occasions, makes it is necessary to suspend or postpone the meetings of its members.
Therefore, the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico deems it is necessary and convenient to amend the Act to Implement the Public Policy on Suicide Prevention in order to authorize the public officials, who are members of the Commission for the Implementation of the Public Policy on Suicide Prevention, to delegate their participation on a representative designated by the official to such effects. Thus, those projects and programs addressed to eliminate cases of suicide in Puerto Rico, may be better promoted.
Section 1.- The first paragraph of subsection
(a) Section 3 of Act No. 227 of August 12, 1999, is hereby amended to read as follows: "Section 3.- Commission for the Implementation of the Public Policy on Suicide Prevention.
(a) The Commission for the Implementation of the Public Policy on the Prevention of Suicide is hereby created, to execute the public policy established through this Act. The Commission shall be composed of fifteen (15) members, including the Secretary of the Department of Health or his designated representative, who shall be its chairman all of whom shall have the capacity, knowledge, and decision-making power to represent the executive official effectively. The designated representatives shall answer directly to the Head of the Agency, who shall, in turn, be responsible for the determinations of the Commission. The other members shall be: The Administrator of the Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration, the Executive Director of the Health Services Administration, the Secretary of the Sports and Recreation Department, the Secretary of the Department of Housing, the Secretary of the Department of the Family, the Secretary of the Department of Education, the Secretary of the Department of Justice, the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Superintended of the Puerto Rico Police, the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Human Resources, or their representatives. In addition, there shall be four (4) persons on the Commission representing the private sector and the clients, two (2) of whom shall be representatives of nonprofit organizations that render services to suicide-prone persons in Puerto Rico, and one (1) representative of the families that are clients.
The members... Section 2.- This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.
I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 313 (S.B. 1892) of the $4^{ ext {th }}$ Session of the $14^{ ext {th }}$ Legislature of Puerto Rico:
AN ACT to amend the first paragraph of subsection
(a) Section 3 of Act No. 227 of August 12, 1999, known as the "Act to Implement the Public Policy on Suicide Prevention," in order to authorize the Secretary of the Department of Health to delegate his/her participation before the Commission, on a representative, has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today $27^{ ext {th }}$ of October of 2004.
Elba Rosa Rodríguez-Fuentes Director