House modernizes vehicle‑theft statute language to align with 2012 penal code

The Puerto Rico House voted to approve Proyecto de la Cámara 478 on Sept. 11, 2025, a measure to update the Ley para la protección de la propiedad vehicular (originally Ley Núm. 8 de 1987) so its criminal classifications match the penal code adopted in 2012.

Representative Pedro Ortiz, sponsor of the measure, said the 1987 statute still uses the old third‑ and fourth‑degree crime classifications that the 2012 penal code replaced with the terms "grave" and "menos grave." Ortiz told the chamber harmonizing the statute will reduce legal confusion and strengthen prosecutors' ability to apply clear penalties in vehicle theft and related offenses.

Floor amendments revised statutory language (spelling and cross‑reference edits and replacement of degree‑based terms with the current classifications), and the House approved the measure as amended.

The bill had support from the Office of Legislative Services and the committee of jurisdiction. It passed in the final vote sequence recorded on the Sept. 11 calendar.

Speakers on the record included Representative Pedro Ortiz, who presented the bill and explained the technical and substantive changes.

Next steps: The bill will advance to the Senate for its consideration.