A new law in Puerto Rico recognizes that unborn babies are people starting at conception. It’s a precursor to potentially passing an abortion ban that would truly protect babies before birth.
Signed into law by Governor Jenniffer González Colón in late December 2025, PS 504 amends Puerto Rico’s Civil Code to recognize the unborn child as a “natural person” from conception for civil purposes, such as inheritance or other favorable rights.
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Leading pro-life groups describe it as a symbolic recognition of life from conception but emphasize it does not alter current abortion statutes or add protections against abortion yet.
National Right to Life (NRL) applauds the Government of Puerto Rico and Governor Jenniffer González Colón for signing Senate Bill 504 into law, affirming that human life begins at conception and that unborn children are to be legally recognized as natural persons under Puerto Rico’s Civil Code.
“National Right to Life celebrates this landmark achievement for the pro‑life movement,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “Puerto Rico’s clear and courageous recognition of preborn babies as persons reflects a deep respect for life and provides a powerful example for lawmakers throughout the United States. Legal personhood for the preborn is not only consistent with science and human dignity but is the foundation upon which a culture of life can flourish.”
This historic legal recognition marks one of the strongest pro‑life affirmations within U.S. jurisdictions. By explicitly acknowledging the inherent dignity and personhood of the preborn, Puerto Rico has taken a principled and scientifically grounded step to align its civil law with the biological reality that human life begins at fertilization.
SB 504 amends the Civil Code to recognize the preborn child as a natural person from the moment of conception. While the law does not alter Puerto Rico’s current abortion statutes, it establishes an important legal and moral precedent by embedding recognition of the unborn child within the territory’s legal framework.
“Puerto Rico’s action stands as a compelling reaffirmation that the protection of human life at all stages is a fundamental civil right,” said Tobias. “This measure underscores the essential truth that every human being—born and unborn—deserves equal protection under the law.”
