P.R. Laws tit. 29, § 823c
The Office shall have the following functions and responsibilities, in addition to any others provided in this chapter or in the statutes or programs whose administration and implementation is delegated to it:
(a) To develop all necessary and pertinent activities leading to a better, more effective, fairer and more efficient application in Puerto Rico of all federal and Commonwealth laws on pensions, bonuses and benefits of all kinds for veterans of the United States Armed Forces and their families.
(b) To put into effect and to ensure compliance of the provisions of Act No. 13 of October 2, 1980, as amended, known as the “Puerto Rican Veterans’ Bill of Rights”, the regulations promulgated thereunder and any other laws or regulations to be approved in the future, in benefit of Puerto Rican veterans and their families.
(c) To take any measures deemed necessary, including legal counsel of medical experts or liaison personnel, for the speedy handling of all types of matters, petitions, investigations and claims of Puerto Rican veterans and their families, in the National Veterans Administration in its Washington, D.C. offices, the Social Security Administration and in its local or regional offices. To such purposes, it may obtain, furnish or contract for legal, medical or technical services, or appear for and in representation of the veterans and their families who qualify for benefits under the pertinent federal laws, before any forum, Commonwealth or federal court, board or commission, administrative body, department, office or agency of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, in any hearing, proceeding or matter that affects or may affect these persons’ interests, rights and benefits.
(d) To carry out, by itself, or in coordination with other public agencies, the needed studies on the problems related to education, work, housing and others for Puerto Rican veterans, their widows and children, and shall draft and recommend to the Legislature of Puerto Rico those legislative measures it deems are useful and necessary to help veterans and their families.
(e) To establish and organize a program whereby veterans and their families may channel their complaints or claims in those cases in which public agencies fail to act or their rights have been violated, and to serve as liaison between them and the agencies concerned.
(f) To establish and execute a vigorous counseling and guidance plan with regard to all the programs, services and benefits to which Puerto Rican veterans and their families are entitled, and on the requirements, mechanisms, means, resources or procedures to obtain, participate and benefit from them, and to assert their rights.
(g) To provide a Puerto Rican flag, free of charge, to the family of a deceased veteran when said flag is requested to be used in the veteran’s funeral.
History —June 27, 1987, No. 57, p. 188, § 4.