House evaluates foster homes, residential facilities for minors for emergency priority

House Committee on Older Adults and Social Welfare Chairman Ricardo Ocasio Ramos, center, leads a hearing on House Bill 834, with Rep. Pedro Pellé Santiago Guzmán, right, the author of the measure, alongside.

By THE STAR STAFF

The House Committee on Older Adults and Social Welfare, chaired by Rep. Ricardo “Chino” Ocasio Ramos, on Wednesday evaluated House Bill 834, which establishes a public policy for the Puerto Rico government that prioritizes foster homes and residential facilities for the care of minors -- under the supervision of the island Family Department -- in plans for restoring essential services following an emergency or disaster.

Carlos Limardo Ortiz, a legal adviser to the Family Department and representative of Family Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes, supported the bill, which was authored by Rep. Pedro “Pellé” Santiago Guzmán. He recommended specifying in the bill that “residential services for minors in state custody be classified as essential services.”

The affidavit noted that Law 59 of 2023, known as the “Law to Guarantee Access to Essential Services in Emergency Situations,” requires government agencies to identify priority populations for the restoration of services. Both types of childcare facilities, including foster homes and residential facilities, meet the criteria to be classified as critical facilities, similar to hospitals and nursing homes.

Limardo Ortiz emphasized the importance of recognizing that protecting the minor population is crucial for complying with federal standards set by the Family First Prevention Services Act, which directly impacts Puerto Rico’s eligibility for federal support funds. He underscored the need for the requirement to be explicitly included in the measure.

Additionally, the adviser suggested considering the inclusion of the aforementioned requirements for other types of residential or treatment services for minors with disabilities, such as transitional homes licensed or certified by the Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration or the Department of Health.

In response to legislators’ questions, Limardo Ortiz expressed support for providing a list to LUMA Energy, the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority, and telecommunications companies. The list for expediting the restoration of essential services after a disaster includes the 36 foster homes, 45 residential childcare facilities, and the group home licensed by the Family Department. He also noted that the information is shared annually with the Bureau of Emergency Management and Disaster Administration.

Rebeca Maldonado Morales, LUMA Energy’s director of public policy affairs, expressed support for the measure while suggesting amendments to adjust the language of the bill in accordance with Law 57 of 2023, known as the “Law for the Prevention of Abuse, Preservation of Family Unity, and the Safety and Protection of Minors.”