Esta ley crea el "Premio Legislativo Anual al Empleado Público Destacado en el Campo del Bienestar del Niño y la Familia en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico". El premio se otorga a empleados y funcionarios públicos que se distinguen por su contribución extraordinaria al bienestar de niños y familias. Establece el procedimiento para otorgar el premio, incluyendo la formación de un panel de jueces y los requisitos para los nominados. El premio consiste en un bono monetario y un reconocimiento, y los fondos provienen de los presupuestos de la Cámara de Representantes y el Senado.
(Approved September 16, 2004)
To create the "Annual Legislative Award for Outstanding Public Employee in the Field of Child and Family Welfare in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico," to be conferred to employees and officers of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico who distinguish themselves for their extraordinary contribution or service toward the protection and welfare of children and families; to provide the procedure for granting the same; and to provide the manner in which the expenses for the implementation of this Act shall be defrayed.
The family is the social group around which all social activities are developed. Many social problems affect the welfare and stability of the family. Many social problems could be solved, or at least lessened, at the family unit itself, if respect and the traditional values of a stable and unified family prevail.
The Department of the Family is the main government entity charged with ensuring the welfare of the Puerto Rican family. The Department, through its officers, offers assistance, support and security to the family and its members, such as in the case of child support. The Department of the Family is responsible for providing security and protection for minors in situations of abuse, whether intentional and/or due to negligence on the part of the parents or persons in charge of the minor, or even on the part of the institutions called upon by the law to render services to minors.
Some of the efforts for solving problems our society, specifically those that directly affect the family, as well as each of its members, consist of educational and informative efforts to give orientation to the citizens regarding the prevention of social problems, by explaining their causes and possible solutions. Moreover, the support services provided to the various family members in delicate situations and in crisis play an essential role in the solution of the problems that affect them and contribute to strengthening the family institution and child protection.
The Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico has several service programs to address the needs of Puerto Rican families, to keep them involved in community affairs, and to protect them and to improve their quality of life. These efforts involve the participation of many public employees and officers who is one way or another to their wellbeing and to their being able to enjoy their lives with the dignity and respect to which they are entitled.
It bears mentioning that in the field of health, by means of Act No. 165 of August 12, 2000, this Legislature established the "Yearly Award to the Outstanding Public Servant in the Field of Health," to acknowledge those who excel in the performance of their work so that the people may receive excellent medical treatment or for preventing conditions that are seriously injurious to the health.
Recently, by virtue of Act No. 291 of November 9, 2003, this Legislature established the "Annual Award of the Legislature for the Outstanding Public Servant in the Area of Protection and Welfare of the Elderly in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico," to be granted to employees and officers of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico who distinguish themselves for their extraordinary contribution or service toward the
protection and welfare of the elderly. By granting the award proposed in this legislation, this Legislature recognizes those persons who achieved distinction for their services as well as for their scientific research during the year, while giving them an incentive to continue their efforts toward professional improvement for the benefit of Puerto Rican society. Our Island is characterized by its highly qualified personnel in the field of the welfare of the Puerto Rican family and for the capabilities and dedication of said personnel to keep abreast of the latest technological developments and discoveries that bring about changes in the services and care they provide for our citizenry.
For the above stated reasons, the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico believes it is meritorious to approve this legislation to establish the "Annual Legislative Award for Outstanding Public Employee in the Field of Child and Family Welfare in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico."
Section 1.- The "Annual Legislative Award for Outstanding Public Employee in the Field of Child and Family Welfare in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico," hereinafter the "Award," is hereby created.
Section 2.- A panel is hereby constituted, consisting of nine (9) judges, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President of the Senate of Puerto Rico, who shall be co-chair the same, the Chairperson of the Committee on Social Welfare and Special Community Affairs of the Senate of Puerto Rico, the Chairperson of the Committee on Health and Social Welfare of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico, the Floor Leaders of the parliamentary minorities in both Committees and the Secretary of the Department of the Family.
If there is no Committee on Social Welfare and Special Community Affairs in the House of Representatives, the Senate of Puerto Rico or either Chamber, the Chairperson of that Committee of each Chamber with jurisdiction over legislation concerning child and family welfare shall be a member of the panel. Every year, the panel herein provided shall be empowered to select the most outstanding public employee in the field of child and family welfare. Its bylaws shall provide the rules for its internal operations which shall include, among others, the procedure for submitting nominations for candidates to the Award and the term or deadline for submitting said nominations.
Section 3.- The panel shall receive nominations and recommendations regarding those candidates who deserve to receive this distinction, whether at the initiative of the public or the private sector.
Section 4.- The nominee shall be an public employee or officer in active service at the Legislative, Judicial or Executive Branch of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, including its municipal governments, public corporations and instrumentalities.
In addition, he/she shall meet the following requirements:
(a) To have performed work or made an extraordinary contribution through work, scientific research or community services toward the protection, care, concern and welfare of children and families.
(b) To have worked in the public service for a minimum of five (5) years prior to the deadline for the nominations established by the panel, specifically in the field of child and family protection and welfare in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Section 5.- The Award shall consist of a monetary bonus in the amount of one thousand five hundred $(1,500)$ dollars and a document of recognition signed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate of Puerto Rico, to be awarded at a ceremony to be held in the premises of the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico during the annual "Childhood and Child Abuse Prevention Month," pursuant to Act No. 211 of August 28, 2003.
Section 6.- Both Legislative Chambers, equally, shall set aside the funds required for the implementation of this Act from their respective Annual General Expenses Budget.
Section 7.- The award received by the employee or officer shall be in addition to his/her regular compensation and any other bonus or fringe benefit to which he/she may be entitled. The Award shall not be considered as part thereof, nor shall it be subject to the payment of income tax.
Section 8.- This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.
I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 326 (S.B. 1286) of the $7^{ ext {th }}$ Session of the $14^{ ext {th }}$ Legislature of Puerto Rico:
AN ACT to create the "Annual Legislative Award for Outstanding Public Employee in the Field of Child and Family Welfare in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico," to be conferred to employees and officers of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico who distinguish themselves for their extraordinary contribution or service toward the protection and welfare of children and families; to provide the procedure for granting the same; and to provide the manner in which the expenses for the implementation of this Act shall be defrayed, has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today 26th of February of 2007.
Francisco J. Domenech Director