Governor Jenniffer González Colón signed Senate Bill 632, now Act 214‑2026, on Thursday, expanding public access to Puerto Rico’s Registry of Persons Convicted of Sexual Offenses and Crimes Against Minors. The new law amends Article 7 of Act 266‑2004, the Registry of Persons Convicted of Sexual Offenses and Crimes Against Minors Act. Under the measure, QR codes must be installed in all public buildings operated by the central government, government agencies, public corporations and municipalities. Citizens can scan the code with a mobile device to view the registry instantly. In addition, every Puerto Rico government website is required to include a direct link to the registry. Information accessed through the QR code will be updated in real time with the registry’s online version, ensuring that the public receives current data. Senator Marissa Jiménez Santoni authored the bill, which was co‑sponsored by Senators Héctor G. González López, Jamie Barlucea Rodríguez, Brenda Pérez Soto, Luis D. Colón La Santa, Wilmer Reyes Berríos, Rafael Santos Ortiz and Karen M. Román Rodríguez. The Puerto Rico Department of Justice, which administers the registry through its Criminal Justice Information System and Sex Offender Registry Unit, endorsed the initiative, citing broader public awareness and access to the resource. The Puerto Rico Innovation and Technology Service and the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation also supported the legislation, noting its value in improving access to public‑safety information.
Article source: San Juan Daily Star | Image credit: San Juan Daily Star