Summary of Puerto Rico Foster Youth Bill of Rights

About this resource

Foster Youth Rights in Puerto Rico

While there may not be one official document called the “Puerto Rico Foster Youth Bill of Rights,” young people in foster care are still protected under important laws.

Two key laws that protect your rights in Puerto Rico are:

1. Carta de los Derechos del Niño (Child’s Bill of Rights) – Law 338-1998
   This law outlines the basic rights every child has, including safety, education, health care, and respect.

2. Law for the Prevention of Maltreatment, Preservation of Family Unity, and for the Safety, Well-being, and Protection of Minors
   This law focuses on protecting children from abuse or neglect and making sure families stay together when it's safe and possible.

Even though there's no single PDF titled "Puerto Rico Foster Youth Bill of Rights," these laws work together to make sure you are safe, supported, and respected while in foster care.

Here's a summary of the key rights afforded to foster youth in Puerto Rico:

• Right to Dignity and Respect: Foster youth have the right to be treated with kindness, respect, and understanding, recognizing their inherent worth and individuality.
• Right to a Safe and Healthy Environment: They are entitled to live in a safe, clean, and nurturing environment that meets their physical, emotional, and developmental needs. This includes adequate food, clothing, shelter, and medical care.
• Right to Protection from Harm: Foster youth have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and mistreatment.
• Right to Family Connections: They generally have the right to maintain contact with their biological parents, siblings, and other important family members, unless a court determines it's not in their best interest.
• Right to Communication: Foster youth have the right to communicate privately with their social workers, attorneys, and other professionals involved in their case. They also generally have the right to reasonable communication with family members.
• Right to Education: They have the right to a quality education, including enrollment and participation in school and extracurricular activities, and support to meet their educational needs.
• Right to Participate in Decisions: Foster youth have the right to be informed about their case plan and to have their views and preferences considered in decisions that affect their lives, to the extent appropriate for their age and maturity.
• Right to Legal Representation: They have the right to legal representation to advocate for their best interests in court proceedings.
• Right to Confidentiality: Their personal information and case records are generally kept confidential.
• Right to Non-Discrimination: Foster youth have the right to receive services without discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
• Right to Information: They have the right to receive information about their rights, the foster care system, and the services available to them in a way they can understand.
• Right to Fair Treatment: They have the right to fair and impartial treatment within the foster care system.

It's important to note that these rights are built into the general child protection laws in Puerto Rico, and the specific use of these rights can depend on individual situations and court decisions. 

If you’re in care and have questions about your rights, talk to your caseworker or a trusted adult—you deserve to know and understand your rights.