85S10564 MCK-D
By: Klick H.B. No. 153
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the issuance of personal identification documents for
foster children, homeless children or youth, and unaccompanied
youth.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 191, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 191.0049 to read as follows:
Sec. 191.0049. BIRTH RECORD ISSUED TO FOSTER CHILD OR
HOMELESS OR UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH. On request of a child described by
this section, the state registrar, a local registrar, or a county
clerk shall issue, without fee or parental consent, a certified
copy of the child's birth record to:
(1) a homeless child or youth or an unaccompanied
youth as those terms are defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 11434a; and
(2) a child in the managing conservatorship of the
Department of Family and Protective Services.
SECTION 2. Subchapter E, Chapter 521, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 521.1015 to read as follows:
Sec. 521.1015. PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATE ISSUED
TO FOSTER OR HOMELESS CHILD. (a) In this section:
(1) "Foster child" means a person who is 16 years of
age or older and in the managing conservatorship of the Department
of Family and Protective Services.
(2) "Homeless child or youth" has the meaning assigned
by 42 U.S.C. Section 11434a.
(3) "Unaccompanied youth" has the meaning assigned by
42 U.S.C. Section 11434a.
(b) This section applies to the application for a personal
identification certificate only for a foster child, a homeless
child or youth, or an unaccompanied youth.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 521.101, Section 521.1426, or
any other provision of this chapter, a child or youth described by
Subsection (b) may, in applying for a personal identification
certificate:
(1) provide a copy of the child's or youth's birth
certificate as proof of the child's or youth's identity and United
States citizenship, as applicable; and
(2) if the child or youth does not have a residence or
domicile, provide a letter from the school district in which the
child or youth is enrolled certifying that the child or youth is a
homeless child or youth or an unaccompanied youth.
(d) A child or youth described by Subsection (b) may apply
for and the department may issue a personal identification
certificate without the signature or presence of or permission from
a parent or guardian of the child or youth.
(e) A child or youth described by Subsection (b) is exempt
from the payment of any fee for the issuance of a personal
identification certificate under this chapter.
SECTION 3. Section 521.1811, Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 521.1811. WAIVER OF FEES FOR FOSTER CHILD OR HOMELESS
OR UNACCOMPANIED [CARE] YOUTH. A person is exempt from the payment
of any fee for the issuance of a driver's license, as provided under
this chapter, if that person is:
(1) younger than 18 years of age and in the managing
conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective
Services; [or]
(2) at least 18 years of age, but younger than 21 years
of age, and resides in a foster care placement, the cost of which is
paid by the Department of Family and Protective Services; or
(3) a homeless child or youth or an unaccompanied
youth as those terms are defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 11434a.
SECTION 4. The changes in law made by this Act apply to an
application for a driver's license, personal identification
certificate, or birth certificate submitted on or after the
effective date of this Act. An application for a driver's license,
personal identification certificate, or birth certificate
submitted before the effective date of this Act is governed by the
law in effect on the date the application was submitted, and the
former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect December 1, 2017.