Law 54 amended to restrict diversion program option in sexual violence convictions.

Sen. Héctor González López

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón on Wednesday signed Senate Bill 609 into law as Act 75-2026 to amend existing domestic violence legislation to limit access to diversion programs in cases of sexual assault within a relationship.

The new law, authored by Sen. Héctor “Gaby” González López of the Arecibo District, amends Act 54 of Aug. 15, 1989, to establish that no person found guilty of the crime of sexual assault, as defined in said law, may be eligible for diversion programs. The provision seeks to align the treatment of the crime with its severity and strengthen protections for victims.

“The purpose of this measure is to establish precise limits within the legal framework to address cases of sexual assault in the context of domestic violence with greater rigor,” González López said.

“This is a necessary correction to ensure that the system responds proportionally to the nature of these crimes,” the senator added. “Furthermore, this law provides victims with greater certainty that they will not have to face the possibility of their aggressor returning to the streets through diversion programs.”

González López noted that prior to the amendment, the law allowed convicted individuals to access diversion programs under certain circumstances, which created inconsistencies in the application of public policy.

“With this legislative action, it is expressly stipulated that this type of conduct does not qualify for that type of alternative, offering greater security to those who have been victims,” he said.

According to the measure’s preamble, Puerto Rico has seen an increase in cases of sexual violence within intimate partner relationships in recent years, which has prompted a review of the legal tools available for addressing such cases.