House approves bill to remove suspended sentences in fatal DUI cases

The Puerto Rico House of Representatives on May 1, 2025, approved Project 321 — a measure that amends criminal sentencing for drivers convicted of causing death or serious bodily injury while under the influence — by a vote of 51-0.

The bill’s sponsor, Representative Sanabria, told the chamber the measure “proponer fortalecer las consecuencias legales para quienes eligen manejar en estado de embriaguez, enmendando la ley actual... para eliminar el privilegio de sentencia suspendida en estos casos.” He framed the change as a way to send “a clear message” that the commonwealth will not tolerate driving that kills or gravely injures others.

Why it matters: Supporters said the amendment removes legal ambiguity that had allowed some offenders to avoid serving a term of incarceration after convictions for fatal or severely harmful impaired-driving offenses. Representative Pérez Cordero, who worked on the measure in the Judiciary Committee, said the bill “uniformando la ley de asistencia suspendida, para que no exista duda alguna,” and clarified that the bill ties the definition of reclusion to Article 49 of Puerto Rico’s Penal Code.

Debate and context: Sponsors and several members described months of committee work that included public testimony from victims’ families and agency witnesses. Representative Sanabria invoked recent tragic cases and said Puerto Rico has lost “more than 6,700” people to impaired driving since 1982; another speaker in committee cited roughly 229 deaths in the last three years — these figures were offered on the floor as background for the bill and attributed there to members and witnesses.

Formal action: The House considered the bill as amended and approved it in final vote, 51-0. The transcript records the final tally for Project 321 as 51 votes in favor and 0 against.

What the law changes: The text as discussed clarifies that persons convicted of causing death or serious bodily injury while driving under the influence are not eligible for a suspended sentence (sentencia suspendida) and that the term "reclusión" is the penalty defined in Article 49 of the Penal Code of Puerto Rico. The measure’s title was amended on the floor to reference the protection of victims of drivers who operate motor vehicles under the effects of alcohol and other controlled substances.

Voices from the floor: The sponsor asked colleagues to vote for the bill as an act of justice for victims and their families, naming several victims in the chamber’s remarks. Family members of victims, including Josian García, were present in the gallery and were acknowledged during debate.

Next steps: The House approved the measure; the transcript does not record subsequent action (for example, transmittal to the Senate or the governor) within the same session.