February 25, 2026 – La Fortaleza, San Juan, Puerto Rico – In alignment with the Government of Puerto Rico’s commitment to safety, dignity, and the protection of individuals in public spaces, Governor Jenniffer González-Colón signed into law the “Public Government Restroom Facilities Regulation Act,” now Law 26-2026 (House Bill 165).

Law 26-2026 establishes clear standards to safeguard the rights, privacy, dignity, and integrity of all individuals in public restroom facilities within government-controlled spaces. It provides a uniform regulatory framework applicable to all agencies, departments, instrumentalities, and public corporations of the Government of Puerto Rico, including the University of Puerto Rico and municipalities. The law regulates the designation and use of multi-occupancy restroom facilities, requires reasonable accommodations, and establishes enforcement mechanisms, including administrative penalties for noncompliance.

The legislation aims to strengthen public safety standards while ensuring that no individual is subjected to unlawful discrimination.

The measure is consistent with Executive Order 14168 issued by President Donald J. Trump.

Among its principal provisions, the law:

• Prohibits the installation of mixed or gender-neutral multi-occupancy restrooms in government facilities.
• Requires that multi-occupancy restrooms be designated separately for men and women, consistent with biological sex.
• Mandates the availability of assisted or family restrooms for use by individuals with disabilities, elderly persons, minors who require assistance, or individuals of either sex who choose to use such facilities.
• Requires clear signage identifying multi-occupancy restrooms by biological sex, as well as clear identification of assisted or family restrooms.

Each violation of the law carries an administrative fine of $5,000, up to a maximum of $15,000. Any funds collected through such penalties will be directed to the Center for Assistance to Victims of Rape (CAVV), created pursuant to Joint Resolution 2471 of 1976 and attached to the Puerto Rico Department of Health.

The law’s provisions do not apply to children and preadolescents up to twelve (12) years of age when using regular or family-designated restroom facilities.

With the signing of Law 26-2026, Governor González Colón reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to establishing clear, enforceable standards in public facilities, strengthening safeguards for privacy and safety, and ensuring uniform compliance across all government entities.

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