P.R. Laws tit. 8, § 341

2019-02-20 00:00:00+00
§ 341. Public policy

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico acknowledges its responsibility to provide adequate conditions that shall further the enjoyment of a full life and the natural human and legal rights of elderly persons to the extent its resources and means shall allow. It is hereby stated, as a public policy, to assure elderly persons:

(a) The planning, rendering and accessibility of services for them [in] terms of geographic location, means of transportation, as well as other complementary and alternate resources, including assistive technology services and equipment.

(b) Optimum access to and use of the best health services.

(c) Services and means to enable aged persons to remain with their family whenever possible. When needed, it shall provide them with a substitute home leaving their entrance into an institution as a last resort.

(d) Respect of their individual rights, limiting them only when it is needed for their health and safety and as a therapeutic measure certified by a duly licensed physician.

(e) The protection of their physical or mental health and of their property against threats, harassment, coercion or disturbance by any natural or juridical person, including financial exploitation, defined as the improper use of an adult’s funds, property or resources by another individual including, but not limited to, fraud, false pretenses, embezzlement, conspiracy, forgery, falsifying records, coercion, property transfers or denial of access to assets.

(f) The effective operation of the rights consigned in the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the applicable laws and regulations.

History —July 12, 1986, No. 121, p. 389, § 1; Dec. 26, 1997, No. 192, § 1; Aug. 7, 2008, No. 196, § 1; Aug. 5, 2009, No. 58, § 2.