P.R. Laws tit. 8, § 814
(a) It is herein provided that sign language or the system known as closed captioning be used in at least one of the TV news programs broadcast from Monday to Friday, in the evening, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM by each of the local TV stations, whether shown on public or private TV stations.
(b) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the meaning expressed below:
(1) Closed captioning.— Means an assistive technological format, designed to provide hearing-impaired persons with access to information, which is transmitted through a codified signal and deciphered through a TV set, which is seen in the form of subtitles on the TV screen.
(2) Sign language.— Means a visual-gestural language, that has its own semantic and syntax structure and that is used by deaf or hypoacusic (partially deaf) people.
(3) TV News.— Means any specialized program transmitted by a TV station located in Puerto Rico, where local news is offered.
(4) Advocate.— Is the advocate for disabled persons.
(5) Office.— Means the Office of the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities.
(c) All local TV stations, whether public or private, shall implement the system known as closed captioning, visual display or open captioning for all emergency alert system bulletins, when the alert system is activated by an emergency situation.
(d) For the purposes of this section, the Disabled Persons Investigating Official may enter into collaborative agreements with local television stations, whether public or private, for the establishing of the systems, and the implementation of this section.
(e) The Disabled Persons Investigating Official is hereby empowered to use his/her faculties and powers vested by virtue of §§ 532 et seq. of Title 3, to enable the application of this section; and shall also assist, advise or direct regarding the claims of any person with a disability or of his/her parents or custodian, before the local television channels or their distributors, and if necessary, before the Federal Communications Commission, for noncompliance of the established federal regulations.
History —June 9, 2002, No. 80, §§ 1–5; Oct. 17, 2003, No. 289, §§ 1–3.