Puerto Rico House commission hears testimony on bill to certify family caregivers; departments urge amendment to existing law

SAN JUAN — The House of Representatives’ Commission on Older Adults and Social Welfare held a public hearing Feb. 24 on Proyecto de la Cámara 10 93, a measure to create an official registry and free training and certification program for family caregivers.

Luis Javier Reyes Burgos, representative of the secretary of health at the Puerto Rico Department of Health, told the commission the department "endosa el proyecto de la cámara 10 93 con las recomendaciones" in its written testimony but urged that any new provisions be developed "en paralelo a la ley número 82" to ensure legal coherence. Reyes Burgos recommended amending Article 5 to involve the Office of the Patient Advocate and the Office of the Procuradora de Personas de Edad Avanzada in implementation and said the department recommends including "una asignación de fondos necesarios y recurrentes para su implementación, lo que representaría la asignación de aproximadamente unos 125000 dólares."

Nicole Báez, representing the Puerto Rico Department of the Family, said the registry that P. de la C. 10 93 would create is already contemplated by Law 82 of 2023. She told the commission, "teníamos 170 solicitudes ... aprobadas, solo 37" and that 11 applications were pending after requested corrections. Báez said the registry is voluntary, that applicants must meet requirements spelled out in the law (including medical certification and a criminal-record check under Law 300), and that the Family Department is responsible for operating the registration portal.

During questioning, commissioners pressed both departments on whether the bill would duplicate existing services. Reyes Burgos said the Department of Health already provides trainings, workshops and support groups — including monthly educational sessions for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and virtual support groups — but that the bill could expand participation and create additional fiscal demands. He also said strengthened training could help prevent hospitalizations and falls among older adults.

Báez described practical barriers she has seen to wider registration: limited visibility of available supports, the cost or difficulty of obtaining required documentation, and caregivers’ limited time and resources to complete the process. She said the registration portal opened "más o menos a septiembre, octubre del año pasado," and that the department is considering media campaigns and other outreach to increase enrollment.

Representative Roberto López pressed for measures that would make services easier to access for caregivers who lack time or money; both departments suggested convening follow-up meetings with legislators to identify targeted amendments to Law 82 that would avoid duplicating existing programs while increasing incentives and supports for caregivers.

No formal vote or motion occurred during the public hearing. The commission closed the hearing at approximately 9:39 a.m. and signaled it will pursue coordination with the Health and Family departments to refine statutory language and funding needs.