The introduction of the "Ley Contra el Discrimen Por Razón de Estilos de Cabello" on July 24, 2024, marks a significant step in Puerto Rico's legislative efforts to combat racial discrimination.
This law addresses the discriminatory and bias practices against hairstyles and hair textures commonly associated with specific racial and national identities.
It amends several existing laws, including the "Ley de Relaciones del Trabajo para el Servicio Público de Puerto Rico" and the "Ley para prohibir y prevenir el Acoso Laboral en Puerto Rico."
On 3 March 2023, the Federal District Court of Puerto Rico ruled that Puerto Rico Act No. 41 of 20 June 2022 (Act No. 41) was approved in violation of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA).
It also stated that changes to local employment statutes provided by the Act are null and void ab initio.
On 28 September 2022, the Governor of Puerto Rico signed into law Act No. 82-2022, that amended Act No. 17-1988 (“Law to Prohibit Sexual Harassment in the Workplace”) and requires employers to implement a protocol to manage sexual harassment incidents in the workplace.
On 8 November 2022, the Puerto Rico Department of Labour (PRDOL) published the Model Protocol that employers have to adapt to investigate sexual harassment allegations.
On 20 June 2022, Puerto Rico’s governor signed into law Act No. 41-2022 (the Act), amending and partially repealing the Labour Transformation and Flexibility Act (LTFA),
It aims to reincorporate statutory benefits and employee rights that were eliminated by LTFA, in many cases reversing the changes it had introduced.