Penalties for Failure to Report and False Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect - Puerto Rico

Failure to Report

Citation: Ann. Laws Tit. 8, § 450a

Any person, official, or public or private institution with the obligation of furnishing information pursuant to the provisions of either § 444 or 446 and who voluntarily and deliberately fails to comply with that obligation, or who fails to perform any other act required by this chapter, or deliberately prevents another person acting reasonably from doing so shall commit a misdemeanor and if convicted shall be sanctioned by a fine up to $5000 or by imprisonment up to 90 days.

False Reporting

Citation: Ann. Laws Tit. 8, § 450a

Any person, official, or public or private institution with the obligation of furnishing information pursuant to the provisions of either § 444 or 446 who deliberately furnishes false information or advises another person to do so shall commit a misdemeanor and if convicted shall be sanctioned by a fine up to $5000 or by imprisonment up to 90 days. Any information furnished that is found to be false and whose natural or probable consequence is deemed to have interfered in the legitimate exercise of custody, parental rights, and patria potestas shall be referred by the competent authority to the Department of Justice for evaluation and the subsequent corresponding prosecution.