House approves youth vigilantes program under DRNA amid objections over protections for minors

SAN JUAN — The Puerto Rico House of Representatives on May 8 approved Projecto de la Cámara 414, creating a volunteer "Cuerpo de Vigilantes Juveniles" affiliated with the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA). The measure passed after a roll-call vote, 33 in favor and 16 opposed.

Proponents said the measure aims to promote youth participation in environmental protection and provide academic and professional incentives. "Los vigilantes juveniles serán voluntarios adscritos al DRNA, entre los 13 y 29 años. Su propósito, fomentar la participación juvenil en la protección y conservación del medio ambiente," said Enzo Rodríguez Torres, presenting the bill as president of the House Commission on Youth. He said the DRNA must adopt regulations within 180 days and that the project offers non‑fiscal incentives such as university credit recommendations and preferential scoring on DRNA job announcements.

Opponents warned the bill's language blurred the line between volunteer service and internship or employment, and raised constitutional and labor concerns for minors. "Por la propia definición del proyecto no es un voluntariado...es una actividad de un internado," said Márquez Lebrón, arguing the measure could require youths to perform extended work without guaranteed academic credit or compensation and could expose minors to security‑related tasks that should be reserved for trained officials. He urged return to committee; the House voted down that motion.

The final text approved in the chamber includes amendments inserted on the floor that the participation "constituye un servicio voluntario" and that, "conforme al artículo 6 de la Ley 114‑2022, conocida como 'Ley de Internados Justos de Puerto Rico', quedan excluidos de las disposiciones de dicha ley." The enacted language also directs the DRNA to create the statutory body of vigilantes juveniles and to set functions, duties, composition and requirements by law, while creating a separate civil position of "vigilante ambiental voluntario" to be regulated by agency rulemaking.

Lawmakers pressing for the measure said it fills an implementation gap left when the prior statute creating a body of vigilantes (Ley 110‑2020) failed to be reglamented. Rodriguez Torres told colleagues the initiative would bolster conservation work, education, reforestation and outreach while offering formal recognition for participants.

Lawmakers who opposed the bill cited multiple concerns raised during debate: protections for minors under Puerto Rico employment and education law, the absence of guaranteed university credit or prearranged institutional agreements, possible constitutional questions about involuntary servitude, and the risk that volunteers could be tasked with security functions that should be performed by trained law‑enforcement officials. Opponents also argued the floor amendments did not fully resolve conflicts with the island's existing volunteer and internship laws.

The House rejected a motion to refer the bill back to committee before the final vote. The measure now moves to the next stages per legislative procedure.

Votes at a glance: Project 414 passed 33–16.

Ending: The House debate reflected a split between members who emphasized youth engagement and agency implementation and those who urged additional safeguards and clearer separation between volunteer service and internships or employment. The bill text requires DRNA rulemaking and further statutory detail to define the scope and protections of the new youth body.