Representation of Children in Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings - Puerto Rico

Date: June 2021

Making The Appointment

Citation: Ann. Laws Tit. 8, § 447a

The interests of a child who has been declared to be the alleged victim of abuse, institutional abuse, neglect, and/or institutional neglect in court shall be represented by a family advocate.

The Use of Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs)

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Qualifications/Training

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Specific Duties

Citation: Ann. Laws Tit. 8, § 447y

Family advocates shall be entrusted with the task of prosecuting, on behalf of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, whatever actions may be in order as the result of investigations carried out on abuse, institutional abuse, neglect, and/or institutional neglect of children.

Insofar as it is possible, and taking into consideration the age and maturity of the children, family advocates shall keep the family informed of the decisions that affect them.

How the Representative Is Compensated

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.