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On Wednesday, Governor Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia enacted House Bill (HB) 1779, put forward by Representative José “Conny” Varela Fernández, which revises domestic violence and stalking statutes to enhance protections for victims of these offenses.
The recently passed legislation mandates that an individual under a protection order who does not reside in Puerto Rico must inform local authorities of their arrival every time they visit the island while the order is active. This notification is required to occur within two hours of their arrival, and neglecting to do so will result in a misdemeanor charge.
HB 1779 was prompted by a heartbreaking event in the municipality of Cataño, where Jesmarie Rivera Santiago, a 28-year-old mother, lost her life at the hands of her ex-partner, who journeyed from Oklahoma to Puerto Rico to carry out the act. The incident sent shockwaves across the island and underscored the urgent need to fortify laws aimed at safeguarding victims of gender-based violence, irrespective of the offender’s location.
“This represents a critical advancement in the battle against gender violence in Puerto Rico,” declared Varela. “The narrative of this young mother must not be repeated. This legislation aims to eliminate legal gaps and assure that protection orders function properly, regardless of the abuser’s whereabouts.”
The law also addresses rising alarms over the rampant rate of domestic violence incidents in Puerto Rico, which had reached a total of 1,453 cases by the time HB 1779 was introduced. The circumstances have called for immediate actions to safeguard victims and avert subsequent violent occurrences.
“It is vital to persist in enhancing protections for women and other victims of violence in Puerto Rico; we must not permit individuals who pose a threat to our citizens’ lives, whether on or off the island, to operate freely,” Varela emphasized.
