Bill 559.

Summary.

The bill adds provisions to Law 47 of 1946 governing the approval, validity, modification, purchase and sale of school textbooks, uniforms and supplies in public and private educational institutions. It sets out principles of transparency, economic reasonableness, parental participation, free competition and consumer protection. It prohibits tied sales, unjustified commercial exclusivity and conditioning educational services on purchases from specified retailers. Schools could set only minimum technical specifications for uniform design, color and general features. Parents could buy compliant uniforms from any retailer; schools could not require exclusive brands, designated suppliers or designs that restrict competition.

Changes involving textbooks, uniforms, enrollment or associated costs would require formal consultation with the Parents’ Association, recorded in minutes approved by a simple majority. Failure to consult would render the decision void. By October 31 each year, schools would publish the official list of textbooks and supplies and uniform specifications for the following school period. Later changes would require a reasoned authorization from the Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación). Conditioning enrollment, continued attendance or release of academic documents on purchases from specified retailers would be unlawful. The bill provides for fines of 8/.5,000.00 hasta 81.50,000.00, temporary suspension of authorization and permanent cancellation for repeat violations, with joint liability for the legal representative. Complaints would be resolved within fifteen (15) business days with due process. Where an unlawful compulsory purchase is established, the school would repay the amount paid plus statutory interest.

The amendment to Article 354-A sets a minimum mandatory textbook approval period of five (5) calendar years. During that period, schools could not require new editions when validity is certified, and publishers could not induce early replacement. Early reassessment would be allowed for official curriculum changes, proven technical errors or essential scientific updates. Violations could lead to fines, suspension of registration or disqualification for up to five (5) years. The amendment to Article 354-B creates a mandatory national textbook reuse program. Public schools would provide free annual loans; private schools would operate supervised internal programs as a condition for renewing their licenses. Annual purchases could not be required when a textbook can be reused, and repeat violations could lead to temporary suspension of an operating permit.

Under the amendment to Article 354-C, the Ministry of Education would publish a binding textbook list for the following school period by September 30. It would state the approval date, expiration, publisher, authorized edition and maximum reference price. Schools could not require textbooks outside the list. The bill prohibits commercial exclusivity agreements, gives preference to domestic printing unless expressly authorized otherwise, and provides for annual audits of publishers and schools. The Ministry of Education would issue implementing regulations within ninety (90) days. The provisions concern educational institutions and families, and may affect publishers, uniform and supply vendors, and the printing sector.