The governor of Puerto Rico has issued Executive Order No. OE-2023-012, ending the state of emergency declared in 2020 due to the pandemic caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and repealing multiple Executive Orders issued to adopt preventive measures because of COVID-19.
Federal Court Strikes Down Amendments to Puerto Rico Employment Law Reform
Less than a year after its enactment, a federal district court has declared null and void Puerto Rico Act 41-2022, a law that rolled back parts of the 2017 employment law reform. Accordingly, the 2017 Puerto Rico employment law reform is back in full force.
Puerto Rico Disability Discrimination Law Covers Registered and Authorized Medical Cannabis Patients
Puerto Rico’s disability discrimination statute (Law 44-1985), the local counterpart of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has been amended to extend coverage to registered and authorized medical cannabis patients. The amendment (Law 90-2022) went into effect on Oct. 14, 2022, upon Governor Pedro Pierluisi’s signing.
Amendments to Puerto Rico 2017 Employment Reform Law
Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi has signed into law changes reversing portions of the 2017 employment reform law. House Bill 1244 (HB 1244) rolls back and changes the statutory probationary period, vacation and sick leave accrual, and eligibility for the annual Christmas Bonus, among other requirements.
Puerto Rico Expands Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination
Puerto Rico Governor Pedro R. Pierluisi has issued an Executive Order (EO) requiring all private sector employers with at least 50 employees to adopt COVID-19 vaccine or testing requirements.
Puerto Rico Extends Mandatory Vaccination to Dining and Entertainment Sectors
Puerto Rico has made COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for additional industries after Governor Pedro R. Pierluisi extended vaccination requirements for employees in the health and hospitality sectors beginning Aug. 16, 2021.
Puerto Rico Implements Mandatory Vaccination of Certain Employees
Puerto Rico Governor Pedro R. Pierluisi has issued an Executive Order (EO-2021-058) making COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for all public employees in the Executive Branch.
Puerto Rico Working Mothers Act Amended to Provide Additional Adoption Leave for Working Mothers
On Aug. 8, 2020, Wanda Vázquez Garced signed into law an amendment to the Puerto Rico Working Mothers Act.
Puerto Rico Senate Passes Reasonable Accommodation Bill for Certain Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic
The Puerto Rico Senate has approved unanimously Senate Bill No. 1577 (SB 1577), which seeks to amend Section 9 of Puerto Rico Act No. 44 of July 2, 1985, known as the “Law Prohibiting Discrimination Against Disabled Persons,” to expand its protection and confer certain type of employees the right to a reasonable accommodation in the workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Puerto Rico Enacts Five-Day Paid Emergency Leave for Pandemic Illness
Puerto Rico’s Law 37-2020 provides certain employees up to five days of paid leave once they exhaust other paid leave.