House expands reinvestment window, approves amendment to home‑protection law

The Puerto Rico House of Representatives approved Proyecto de la Cámara 216 on Sept. 11, 2025, a bill amending Law 195‑2011 (the law protecting principal residences) to extend certain timeframes for homeowners seeking to preserve protection of a principal residence after a covered sale or forced sale.

Representative Pérez Ortiz, the bill’s floor sponsor, said the measure "extiende de 9 meses a 12 el término" for homeowners to reinvest proceeds from a protected sale into a new primary residence and increases from 30 to 60 days the period to claim home‑protection in forced‑sale cases. He told colleagues the extensions respond to long transaction timelines in Puerto Rico and events such as natural disasters that can delay purchases.

Pérez Ortiz said the measure received support from the Department of Justice and the Office of Legislative Services; he also noted the Association of Banks of Puerto Rico backed aspects of the reinvestment extension, while some mortgage banking groups raised reservations about the longer terms in foreclosure contexts.

The committee in charge recommended the bill be approved. The House voted to adopt the measure as amended on the floor; the clerk recorded the House vote in favor and the measure was approved during the Sept. 11 session.

Key provisions approved: - Reinvesment window extended from 9 to 12 months for converting sale proceeds into a new protected residence. - Time to claim "hogar seguro" after a forced sale extended from 30 to 60 days.

The bill sponsor described the changes as aimed at making the constitutional protection of the home effective and practical for Puerto Rican families.

Speakers on the record included Representative Pérez Ortiz during presentation and floor debate.