P.R. Laws tit. 25, § 981b

2019-02-20 00:00:00+00
§ 981b. Duties and powers of the Director

The Director of the Office shall have the following duties and powers:

(a) Administer the Crime Victims and Witnesses Compensation and Services Office.

(b) Evaluate and adjudicate the limits of the compensation to be paid to eligible victims and the procedure for the payment of claims, subject to the provisions of this chapter and taking into consideration the fiscal resources of the Fund he/she administers.

(c) Advise the Secretary on the investment of the resources of the Fund created by virtue of this chapter.

(d) Render, through the Secretary, no later than the first day of September of each year, an annual report to be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature that contains besides other information, a financial balance sheet, a statement of income and disbursements for the year, detailed statements on the experience of claims filed under this chapter for the year, a report on the investments deeds owned by the Office and other statistical and financial data that are deemed necessary for an adequate interpretation of the financial position of the Office and of the results of its operations, as well as of the granting of the benefits conferred by this chapter.

(e) Make known to the population the scope of the benefits provided and the eligibility conditions established in this chapter, which shall include, but shall not be limited to, conducting awareness and educational campaigns, both in written press and on radio and television, handing out brochures and promotional material, among others.

(f) Conduct the investigations needed to comply with the provisions of this chapter and serve summons for the appearance of witnesses and the presentation of books, records and other documents, take oaths and hear testimonies, data or information.

(g) Order physical or mental examinations of the victims.

(h) Contract with companies and collectors or use the resources of the agency to collect outstanding fines.

(i) Promulgate all those regulations that are necessary to implement this chapter, pursuant to §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Uniform Administrative Procedures Act”.

(j) Perform all those acts that are necessary and convenient to achieve the purposes of this chapter entrusted to him/her by the Secretary.

[(k)] Added by Reorganization Plan No. 5 of 2011. See editor’s note.

[(l)] Added by Reorganization Plan No. 5 of 2011. See editor’s note.

(m) May accept donations from public or private institutions and persons or individuals.

History —July 29, 1998, No. 183, § 5; Aug. 25, 2000, No. 195, § 2; Jan. 5, 2006, No. 3, § 2; Aug. 5, 2012, No. 157, § 5.