P.R. Laws tit. 1, § 731
An Advisory Council on Elder Affairs is hereby created, attached to the Office, to advise the Office of the Ombudsman for the Elderly in relation to the implementation of this chapter. The Advisory Council shall be constituted by seventeen (17) members, to wit: nine (9) ex officio members to represent the public interest, and eight (8) members to represent the interests of the community. The ex officio members representing the public interest shall be, to wit: the Secretary of the Department of Health; the Secretary of the Department of the Family; the Secretary of the Department of Education; the Secretary of the Sports and Recreation Department; the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Human Resources; the Secretary of the Department of Housing; the Ombudsman for Patients; the Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities; and the Women’s Advocate, or the representative expressly designated by these officials for these purposes. Of the eight (8) members representing the community interest, four (4) shall be elderly persons.
All members representing the community interest shall be persons of proven capability and leadership, aware of the needs and issues of the elderly, and concerned with the rights that protect them.
Nine (9) members shall constitute a quorum to hold Advisory Council meetings and any agreements shall be reached by a majority of the members present. The Advisory Council shall adopt bylaws to govern its works, deliberations, and performance of its functions. The Office shall provide the Advisory Council with the facilities, equipment, supplies, and human resources needed to discharge the functions assigned by this chapter.
The Advisory Council shall meet as often as called by the Ombudsman, but never less than six (6) times a year, at least once every two (2) months. The Advisory Council shall keep a record of the meetings and appearances and the recommendations made by the Ombudsman.
It is further established that the members of the Advisory Council, whether they are public or community interest representatives, shall be appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico without the need for the advice and consent of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Upon the effective date of this act, five (5) of the eight (8) members representing the community interest shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years, and three (3) members shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years. Upon expiration of these initial terms, subsequent appointments shall be made for three (3) years. The members of the Advisory Council shall elect their Chairperson from among the members representing the community interest. The members representing the public interest shall perform their duties during their term in office. When their term elapses, they shall be replaced by their successor in office.
History —July 24, 2013, No. 76, § 12.