86R6252 MCK-D
By: Watson S.B. No. 481
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to personal identification documents for foster children
or youth, 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 YOUTH
OR HOMELESS OR UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH. On request of a child or youth
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 or youth'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;
(2) a child in the managing conservatorship of the
Department of Family and Protective Services; and
(3) a young adult who:
(A) is at least 18 years of age, but younger than
21 years of age; and
(B) resides in a foster care placement, the cost
of which is paid by 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 CHILD OR YOUTH, HOMELESS CHILD OR YOUTH, OR UNACCOMPANIED
YOUTH. (a) In this section:
(1) "Foster child or youth" means:
(A) a child in the managing conservatorship of
the Department of Family and Protective Services; or
(B) a young adult who:
(i) is at least 18 years of age, but younger
than 21 years of age; and
(ii) resides in a foster care placement,
the cost of which is paid by 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 or youth, 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:
(A) provide a letter certifying the child or
youth is a homeless child or youth or an unaccompanied youth issued
by:
(i) the school district in which the child
or youth is enrolled;
(ii) the director of an emergency shelter
or transitional housing program funded by the United States
Department of Housing and Urban Development; or
(iii) the director of:
(a) a basic center for runaway and
homeless youth; or
(b) a transitional living program; or
(B) use the address of the regional office where
the Department of Family and Protective Services caseworker for the
child or youth is based.
(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 YOUTH,
HOMELESS CHILD OR YOUTH, 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 record submitted on or after the effective
date of this Act. An application for a driver's license, personal
identification certificate, or birth record 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 September 1, 2019.