Esta ley enmienda la Ley Núm. 94 de 5 de junio de 1973 para aumentar la multa por violaciones relacionadas con la licencia para colocar niños en hogares sustitutos o instituciones de cuidado infantil privadas, de quinientos (500) dólares a mil (1,000) dólares. El propósito es disuadir el incumplimiento y asegurar el bienestar y la seguridad de los menores.
(Approved August 21, 2004)
To amend Section 7 of Act No. 94 of June 5, 1973, as amended, in order to increase the penalty imposed for violations of Act No. 94 of June 5, 1973, as amended, from five hundred (500) dollars to one thousand $(1,000)$ dollars.
The text of the current law which provides for all matters pertinent to the licensing of persons engaged in placing children in homes empowers any natural or juridical person engaged in or who intends to engage in placing children in substitute homes or in private child care institutions to hold a license issued by the Secretary of the Department of the Family for such a purpose.
The text of Act No. 94 of June 5, 1973, as amended, as it reads, does not urge people to make arrangements to have the license needed issued because it lacks a firm deterrent that would compel people to take an interest in complying with the law as it has been drafted.
The task of placing children in substitute homes or in private child care institutions is very delicate and sensitive. It entails a high degree of responsibility because of the consequences this action may have if the child were to be placed in the wrong home, one which would not provide a sound and suitable environment, marked by the most prized values and principles
that would help the child to achieve his or her optimum development as a human being and as a productive citizen for our society.
The statement of purpose of the legislation herein proposed seeks to send a clear message concerning our responsibility and interest in ensuring that the persons engaged in that type of work enjoy our trust and provide us with the assurance that they are capable of undertaking such an important task.
This Legislature has the moral obligation with our people to promulgate legislation whose main objective is to ensure the welfare, security and excellent treatment of our children. It is up to said body to carve out a future for Puerto Rico full of great successes and achievements in all aspects. We are convinced that this legislation shall stand out as an additional resource to be provided by our body of laws that will firmly and staunchly uphold our unwavering stance of ensuring that our children grow up and develop in a wholesome environment that will guarantee their protection, security and optimum development as human beings.
Section 1.-Section 7 of Act No. 94 of June 5, 1973, as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows: "Section 7.-Penalties Any natural or juridical person in violation of the provisions of Section 1 of this Act or the regulations promulgated for its implementation by the Secretary of the Family, shall incur a misdemeanor and if convicted shall be punished with a penalty not to exceed one thousand $(1,000)$ dollars or with a term of imprisonment not to exceed six (6) months, or both penalties at the discretion of the Court."
Section 2.-This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.
I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 221 (H.B. 1757) of the $7^{ ext {th }}$ Session of the $14^{ ext {th }}$ Legislature of Puerto Rico:
AN ACT to amend Section 7 of Act No. 94 of June 5, 1973, as amended, in order to increase the penalty imposed for violations of Act No. 94 of June 5, 1973, as amended, from five hundred (500) dollars to one thousand $(1,000)$ dollars, has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today $30^{ ext {th }}$ of August of 2005.
Francisco J. Domenech Director