House begins evaluation of municipal volunteer programs bill

By THE STAR STAFF

The House Municipal Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Luis “Junior” Pérez Ortiz, has begun evaluating House Bill 636, which proposes amendments to the Puerto Rico Municipal Code to allow municipalities to establish volunteer programs within their jurisdictions.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Wilson Román López, would enable municipalities to create the aforementioned initiatives in accordance with the Puerto Rico Volunteer Act, pending approval by their respective municipal legislatures.

During a public hearing, the Mayors Federation submitted a statement -- signed by Executive Director Ángel M. Morales Vázquez -- expressing support for the measure with proposed amendments. Morales Vázquez emphasized that “volunteering is a valuable tool to strengthen civic spirit and community solidarity.”

However, he recommended that the bill explicitly state that volunteer programs must not displace municipal employees, contractors, or private service providers, nor hinder the creation of paid positions. He stressed that volunteer work should be “complementary, not substitutive,” and focused on community-oriented tasks that do not fall under essential public services.

To avoid economic distortions and ensure fair labor practices, Morales Vázquez also suggested that the bill clarify that volunteer programs should not become unpaid alternatives to municipal or private sector labor.

Additionally, he proposed including language to ensure that the creation of volunteer programs is contingent on budget availability. He recommended allowing municipalities to enter into agreements with private or nonprofit entities to help cover operational costs.

“This amendment would help ensure the measure does not impose new fiscal burdens or create permanent obligations outside of municipal budgets,” Morales Vázquez said.