House youth committee hears support, requests clarifications on bill to create 'Comité de Juventud Ahora'

The Commission on Youth Affairs of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico held a public hearing April 30, 2025, in Salón Audiencia 6 of the Luis A. Ferré building to consider Proyecto de la Cámara 466, which would add Article 12A to Law 171 of 2014 to create the “Comité de Juventud Ahora” under the Program of Youth Development in the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC).

The Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC) told the commission it supports the measure’s objective to establish formal youth participation in policy design, but urged a number of technical changes so the new body can function. DDEC representatives said the bill, as drafted, creates potential confusion by referring both to a junta (board) and to a comité (committee) without clearly defining whether they would be distinct entities or one single body. “La recomendación que hacemos es que sean diferentes,” said Charlene Newman, director of the Program of Youth Development, recommending separate definitions and selection processes for each body.

The…