Governor signs a dozen bills into law

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón signed bills into law on Wednesday to, among other things, combat stigma against HIV patients, make technical corrections to existing laws, and expand oversight measures.

By The Star Staff

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón signed the first 12 bills from the closing session of the Legislative Assembly into law on Wednesday. The bills address various topics, including combating stigma against HIV patients, making technical corrections to existing laws, and expanding oversight measures, among others.

The Governor’s Office is currently receiving legislation recently approved by the Legislature. Once each bill is received, the advisory team reviews it and provides recommendations to the governor, who then decides whether to sign it. The number of bills that have reached La Fortaleza fluctuates daily. Even after receiving legislative approval, bills go through a verification process and require signatures from the legislative leaders before final submission.

The following is a sample of the new laws:

Law 35-2025 (House Bill [HB] 540)

Authored by Speaker of the House of Representatives Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez, the measure amends Act No. 6-2025, known as the “Single Digital File for People with Disabilities Act.” It also, among other provisions, establishes a 10-day period for the relevant agencies to digitize and store participants’ documents in the digital file.

Act 36-2025 (Senate Bill [SB] 446)

The administration bill (A-023) amends Act No. 91-1991, known as the “Judge and Judge Candidate Evaluation System Act.” The amendments aim to make technical corrections, strengthen confidentiality in the judge evaluation process, ensure procedural integrity, and serve other related purposes.

Act 37-2025 (SB 511)

As A-057, the administration bill amends Act No. 15 of April 14, 1931, known as the “Department of Labor and Human Resources Organic Act.” It authorizes the Bureau of Legal Affairs to represent employees who have agreed to use arbitration as a method to resolve disputes arising under their private employment contracts and serves other related purposes.

Act 40-2025 (HB 26)

Authored by House Speaker Méndez and District 31 Rep. Vimarie Peña Dávila, the act amends Act 8-2017, known as the “Government of Puerto Rico Human Resources Management and Transformation Act.” It restores the authority of the Office of Management and Transformation of Human Resources to certify employees for public service, among other purposes.

Act 42-2025 (SB 29)

Authored by Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz, the amendment modifies Act 248-2018, known as the “Bill of Rights of Persons Living with HIV at Any Stage in Puerto Rico.” The amendment aims to eliminate potentially stigmatizing language, include definitions of relevant concepts, clarify the rights of individuals diagnosed with HIV, and specify the responsibilities of the Department of Health, among other related purposes.

Act 43-2025 (SB 164)

Authored by Senate President Rivera Schatz, the amendment modifies Act No. 135 of Sept. 1, 2020, known as the “Puerto Rico Institute of Forensic Sciences Act,” to eliminate the agency’s board of directors and establishes the terms and methods for appointing the executive director.