Esta ley enmienda la Ley Núm. 166 de 12 de agosto de 2003, conocida como la "Ley del Centro de Investigación, Educación y Servicios Médicos para la Diabetes", para autorizar a los miembros de la Junta de Directores a delegar su participación en un representante. Específicamente, permite que el Secretario del Departamento de Salud designe un representante para asistir a las reuniones de la Junta, reconociendo las limitaciones de tiempo del Secretario.
(Approved January 1, 2003)
To amend the third paragraph of Section 4 of Act No. 166 of August 12, 2003, known as the "Diabetes Research, Education and Medical Services Center Act", in order to authorize the members of the Board of Directors to delegate their participation before the Board, on a representative.
The Diabetes Research, Education and Medical Services Center Act, was created with the purpose of offering the most advanced medical treatment methods and have access to the health experts and researchers that can analyze and examine the causes for the high incidence of diabetes among Puerto Ricans, and attend to the problems and complications caused by this disease. Since the approval of this Act, the Council has become a part of an integral support program for the development of optimal medical services, the study and research of diabetes and areas related to endocrinology and metabolism. To achieve these objectives, the Center developed a model that coordinated and integrated clinical services for diabetic patients.
Act No. 166, op. cit. established a Board of Directors composed of nine members, of which two are highly recognized public officials that have the capability and experience needed in those matters that contribute to its adequate functioning thereof. These officials are: the Secretary of the
Department of Health, and the Dean of Medical Sciences of the University of Puerto Rico.
Nevertheless, it is generally known that the Secretary of the Department of Health holds an office that, in itself, requires much time and attention. Therefore, he is limited in devoting the time and attention that the Board of Directors of the Diabetes Research, Education and Medical Services Center for Diabetes requires, which brings about that it is frequently necessary to suspend or delay the meetings of its members.
Therefore, the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico deems it is necessary and convenient to amend the Diabetes Research, Education and Medical Services Center Act, in order to authorize the Secretary of the Department of Health to delegate his participation before the Diabetes Board of Directors.
Section 1. - The third paragraph of Section 4 of Act No. 166 of August 12, 12000, as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows: "Section 4. - Board of Directors. The powers ... The Board shall be composed of nine (9) members, of which the following two (2) shall be ex-officio members: the Secretary of the Department of Health of Puerto Rico, or his designated representative, who shall have the capacity, knowledge, and decision-making power to effectively represent the executive official they replace. The designees shall answer directly to the Head of the Agency, who, in turn, shall be responsible for the determinations of the Board. Furthermore, the Rector of the Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico, shall also be a part of the Board.
Of the seven ..." Section 2. - This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.
I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 29 (S.B. 1898) of the $4^{ ext {th }}$ Session of the $14^{ ext {th }}$ Legislature of Puerto Rico:
AN ACT to amend the third paragraph of Section 4 of Act No. 166 of August 12, 2003, known as the "Diabetes Research, Education and Medical Services Center Act", in order to authorize the members of the Board of Directors to delegate their participation before the Board, on a representative, has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today $8^{ ext {th }}$ of January of 2004.
Elba Rosa Rodríguez-Fuentes Director