P.R. Laws tit. 24, § 3517a
(a) It is prohibited in the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, for maternity centers, care centers, or gynecologic, pediatric or obstetric offices that treat women who are six (6) months pregnant or over, or children less than one (1) year of age, to administer maternal milk substitutes, glucose serum, water, or any other food or drink other than maternal milk to newborn babies and infants, without prior written medical authorization, or the express written consent of the mother, father or tutor. A mother who wants maternal milk substitutes to be fed to the newborn may also state her consent in writing at any time after childbirth. In the event of a medical emergency in which there has been no express written consent authorization by the mother, the prior medical authorization may be replaced by a subsequent authorization that refers to the possibility of an emergency.
(b) Doctors shall not authorize the use of said foods or beverages unless it is recommended by the best medical practices and to benefit the health of the infant.
(c) The Department of Health shall prepare brochures that clearly describe the provisions of this act within ninety (90) days of its approval, and shall make them available in maternity wards, care centers and offices of gynecologists and obstetricians; the materials shall be placed in visible areas in maternity service centers to be seen by all visitors and patients who are waiting or resting. Maternity wards, care centers and offices of gynecologists and obstetricians shall place said informative materials within one hundred twenty (120) days after the effective date of this act.
History —Mar. 13, 2004, No. 79, § 3.