Esta ley enmienda la "Ley de Viajes Estudiantiles" para permitir que estudiantes que cumplan con el promedio académico requerido, pero que no fueron seleccionados por sorteo, puedan participar en el programa de viajes estudiantiles sufragando los costos con fondos propios o patrocinio privado. También establece que la Junta Interagencial debe crear reglamentos para implementar esta disposición y para cubrir otros aspectos del programa, como la publicidad de las experiencias y seguros.
(Approved September 16. 2004)
To amend Sections 9 and 12 of Act No. 32 of June 23, 1985, as amended, known as the "Student Travel Act," in order to allow other students who meet the academic average grade index requirement to participate in the programs even though they have not been selected through the drawing system, by defraying the cost of their participation through the sponsorship of the private sector or from their own pocket.
Act No. 32 of June 23, 1985, as amended, established as public policy of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a Student Travel Program to places outside of Puerto Rico with the participation of students of the public schools of the Island at the secondary level and students of the public university system. Participants are selected by means of a drawing system through which the winners are distributed throughout all school districts.
The purpose of this Program is to expose the young participants to other production and social coexistence systems as well as to other cultural aspects, thus broadening the education they receive in the classroom by stimulating them intellectually through the direct exposure to the cultural achievements of other cultures as well as to their technological advances.
The experiences obtained during the years in which the Program has been in operation have been invaluable. However, it is a pity that the limited resources of the Government do not allow for a greater participation of our
young people. Taking this fact into consideration this Legislature understands that it is important to allow more students to take advantage of this enriching opportunity. For this reason the Legislature believes it meritorious to make room for other students who meet the academic average grade index requirement so that they may participate in the Program even though they have not been selected through the drawing system, by defraying the cost of their participation through the sponsorship of the private sector or from their own pocket.
Section 1.- Section 9 of Act No. 32 of June 23, 1985, as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows: "Section 9.- Participating students Participating students shall be selected by means of a drawing. The Interagency Board shall establish a drawing system to be implemented by using the facilities of the Puerto Rico Lottery. For that purpose, the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized, jointly with the Director, to establish the most effective plan taking into consideration the needs of the Lottery and the time within which to conclude the procedures to select the students who shall constitute the groups which will travel within the proper time frame of each academic year, subject to the economic resources available. Those students who will substitute the participants who for one reason or another are unable to enjoy the trip shall be selected in the same manner.
The Interagency Board shall establish the necessary regulations and enter into the agreements required by the procedure to select the participating students as herein provided. No academic average grade index requirements shall be established for disabled regular students registered
with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Integral Educational Services for Disabled Persons who wish to participate in the Student Travel Program.
The Interagency Board shall likewise establish, through regulations, the procedure to create a limited number of additional spaces so that other students who meet the academic grade index requirements may participate in the Program even though they have not been selected through the drawing system, by defraying the cost of their participation through the sponsorship of the private sector or from their own pocket."
Section 2.- Section 12 of Act No. 32 of June 23, 1985, as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows: "Section 12.- Regulations The Board shall adopt, subject to the approval of the Governor and the Secretary of the Treasury whenever necessary, the following regulations, among others:
(a) $\ldots$
(b) $\ldots$
(c) $\ldots$
(d) $\ldots$
(e) $\ldots$
(f) To establish the systems to be used to publicize the experiences of the young participants.
(g) To promulgate norms leading to the establishment of public liability and medical insurance to cover the students who travel and the persons or officials who accompany them.
(h) To adopt the norms relative to the creation of spaces for other students who meet the academic grade index requirements so they may participate in the Program even though they have not
been selected through the drawing system, by defraying the cost of their participation through the sponsorship of the private sector or from their own pocket.
(i) To cover all matters not expressly provided in this chapter but that are compatible with the functions and faculties provided by law for the Program.
All regulations adopted pursuant to the authority conferred by this Act and duly promulgated shall have the force of law."
Section 3.- This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.
I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 348 (H.B. 3656) of the $7^{ ext {th }}$ Session of the $14^{ ext {th }}$ Legislature of Puerto Rico:
AN ACT to amend Sections 9 and 12 of Act No. 32 of June 23, 1985, as amended, known as the "Student Travel Act," in order to allow other students who meet the academic average grade index requirement to participate in the programs even though they have not been selected through the drawing system, by defraying the cost of their participation through the sponsorship of the private sector or from their own pocket, has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today $1^{ ext {st }}$ of December of 2005.
Francisco J. Domenech Director