P.R. Laws tit. 29, § 823b
The Veterans Advocate’s Office is hereby created, which shall be attached to the Office of the Governor, and shall have, among other functions provided herein, the responsibility of handling the problems, needs and claims of Puerto Rican Veterans in the areas of education, employment, health, housing, transportation, and social, tax and labor legislation. It shall also be responsible for establishing and developing programs to assist, guide and counsel veterans for their protection, and that of their families.
The Office shall be directed by an Advocate appointed by the Governor of Puerto Rico, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Advocate’s salary or remuneration shall be fixed according to customary standards in the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for positions of a like or similar nature.
The Advocate shall perform the administrative duties of his office, and shall act with autonomy with respect to the programming and administrative aspects. The office shall be deemed as an Individual Administrator for the purpose of personnel administration, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 1—10.1 of Act No. 5 of October 14, 1975, as amended, known as the “Public Service Personnel Act of Puerto Rico”. The Office shall have a term of six (6) months starting from the approval of this act to adopt personnel regulations and classification and salary plans for career and confidential services.
The Advocate may appoint a Deputy Advocate, upon prior consultation with the Governor of Puerto Rico, and delegate any of the duties, except those established in §§ 823h and 823j of this title. The person appointed as Deputy Advocate shall meet all the requirements established for the Advocate in this section.
In the event that the position of Veterans Advocate becomes vacant due to illness, disability, temporary absence or any other reason, the Deputy Advocate shall assume all his functions, duties and powers until a successor is designated and takes office.
History —June 27, 1987, No. 57, p. 188, § 3; Dec. 13, 1990, No. 38, p. 1554, § 3; Aug. 27, 1994, No. 105, § 2.