Governor signs law declaring SER of Puerto Rico a people’s heritage

“Today we do more than just recognize SER of Puerto Rico; today we give it the place it deserves before the people,” Gov. Jenniffer González Colón said.

Approves three other measures

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón signed a law on Wednesday declaring the Society for Education and Rehabilitation of Puerto Rico (SER) a Heritage of the People of Puerto Rico, recognizing its legacy and contribution to people with disabilities during 75 years of service on the island.

“Today we do more than just recognize SER of Puerto Rico; today we give it the place it deserves before the people; today, by law, we proclaim it a Heritage of the People of Puerto Rico,” González Colón said at a press conference.

The measure, contained in Law 16-2026, is the result of House Bill (HB) 816, introduced by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Núñez.

“The Society for Education and Rehabilitation of Puerto Rico has been synonymous with commitment, dignity, and service since its founding in 1950,” the governor stated in the same communication.

Méndez Núñez noted that the law recognizes the institution’s sustained contribution and establishes parameters to strengthen financial assistance directed to its services.

“The service that SER professionals have provided for more than 75 years to our children with special needs is unique,” ​​the House speaker said.

SER of Puerto Rico provides medical, therapeutic, educational, and inclusion services to children, young people and adults with disabilities or complex health conditions, and has centers in San Juan, Ponce and Ceiba.

Since its founding, the organization has directly benefited more than 500,000 people and serves some 4,600 families annually in Puerto Rico.

During the event, the governor also signed Law 17-2026 (HB 1), which amends the Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act so that the Department of Consumer Affairs can collect and monitor the prices of the 100 most prescribed medications whose cost exceeds $100.

Méndez Núñez said the measure reduces the number of medications to be evaluated from 300 to 100, orders the creation of a uniform form, and adds a licensed pharmacist to the interagency committee in charge of the process.

The governor also signed Law 14-2026 (HB 455), which integrates the security and protection agents of the Special Operations Unit of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation into the Correctional Officers Corps, and Law 15-2026 (HB 773), which amends the Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies Act to allow those cooperatives to offer commercial credit lines and credit cards to members, non-members and for-profit entities, with personal guarantees.