P.R. Laws tit. 8, § 447r
Before ruling on any incident in a protection case, the court must have before it a report that shall include the information related to the minor, his or her relatives, their circumstances, and any other information that will allow the court to properly rule in the best interests of the minor.
In any judicial proceeding related to the protection cases referred to in this chapter, the court shall consider as evidence social and medical expert reports pursuant to the provisions of the Rules of Evidence of Puerto Rico, App. IV of Title 32, and the following provisions:
(a) Social reports. — Before reviewing an incident in a case of protection, the court shall have at hand a social report, which shall include data in connection with the minor, his/her relatives, his/her circumstances, and any other information that shall enable the court to make an adequate review to pursue the best interests of the minor.
Family services technicians and social workers of the Department who have evaluated a minor shall file an original and copies of their reports with the court and with the Family Affairs Advocate within a period of not less than ten (10) days prior to any scheduled hearing. Provided, That, if they fail to file their reports within the period set in this section, the party which fails to comply may be held in contempt and financial sanctions imposed.
At the request of an interested party, the court shall arrange for a copy of the social report to be delivered to the party entitled to have the same. Parties entitled to a copy of the reports shall be responsible for keeping their contents strictly confidential, and shall limit their use to the procedure established by virtue of this chapter.
[(b)] [Medical and expert reports]. — The medical and expert reports, as well as the social report, shall be confidential, unless the court should find that there is just cause to disclose the information. Said reports shall be admitted in evidence pursuant to the provisions of the Rules of Evidence of Puerto Rico.
History —Aug. 1, 2003, No. 177, § 49; Sept. 29, 2004, No. 510, § 14.