The short version
- NotiCel reported that the Appeals Court confirmed the San Juan court of first instance's dismissal of the suit filed by ECIJA SBGB against the Office of the Women's Advocate, the Department of Labor and the government
- Both NotiCel and El Vocero stated the plaintiff lacked standing because it did not demonstrate real damage or any sanctioning determinations against it
- El Vocero reported that the guide sets parameters on privacy, hygiene, safety and equipment for lactation spaces and allows adapting existing areas or sharing rooms
- Women's Advocate Astrid Piñeiro Vázquez said the guide is an orientation tool that does not impose obligations beyond the law
Court Decision
On Thursday the Puerto Rico Court of Appeals confirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by the law firm ECIJA SBGB, also known as SBGB LLC, against the Office of the Women's Advocate (OPM), the Department of Labor and Human Resources and the Government of Puerto Rico. NotiCel reported the panel ruled that the plaintiff lacked active legal standing and that the controversy was not justiciable.
The suit challenged the "Guía para la Habilitación y el Funcionamiento de Salas de Lactancia en los Centros de Trabajo y en Espacios de Acceso Público" prepared by the OPM under the Breastfeeding Code of Puerto Rico, Law 87-2025. Both NotiCel and El Vocero reported that the courts found the firm had not shown it suffered actual harm or faced any enforcement action.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Como sostuvimos desde el inicio, las guías elaboradas por la Oficina de la Procuradora de las Mujeres constituyen una herramienta de orientación y apoyo
Our translation: As we maintained from the beginning, the guides prepared by the Office of the Women's Advocate constitute an orientation and support tool
The source's own statement, as quoted by NotiCel. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Official Position
Women's Advocate Astrid Piñeiro Vázquez stated in writing that the guides constitute an orientation tool to help employers adopt best practices without imposing burdens beyond the law. El Vocero reported she added that the document facilitates compliance with legal requirements on hygiene, safety and privacy for lactation spaces.
Piñeiro Vázquez told reporters the guide does not create additional obligations. NotiCel reported she said the OPM's role is to accompany employers while exercising its oversight powers under the law.
Where the sources differ
NotiCel and El Vocero agree on the core facts: the Appeals Court upheld dismissal of the ECIJA SBGB suit for lack of standing and no demonstrated harm. NotiCel names the plaintiff as the bufete ECIJA SBGB and mentions a separate ongoing challenge to Regulation 9796. El Vocero refers to the plaintiff as SBGB LLC operating as ECIJA SBGB and provides more detail on the guide's content regarding privacy, hygiene and alternatives such as shared rooms. Both outlets quote the same statements from Astrid Piñeiro Vázquez with minor variations in length.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state when the original lawsuit was filed, the specific arguments made by the plaintiff, the exact date of the Appeals Court decision, or whether the firm plans to appeal further. They also do not indicate if any employers have faced sanctions under the Breastfeeding Code or how many lactation rooms have been established since the law took effect.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Apelaciones confirma desestimación de demanda contra guía de salas de lactancia
- Reporting Apelaciones confirma desestimación de demanda contra guía de salas de lactancia
- Reporting Apelativo confirma desestimación de demanda contra Procuradora de las Mujeres por guía de salas de lactancia
How we checked this
NotiCel and El Vocero both reported the Appeals Court ruling and the Women's Advocate's statements. Details about a second, separate legal challenge to the related regulation appear only in NotiCel.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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