89R2384 AMF-D
By: Cook H.B. No. 1973
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to proof of the identity of a child's parents in a suit
affecting the parent-child relationship.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 102.008, Family Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (c-1) and amending Subsection (d) to read as
follows:
(c-1) The petitioner shall additionally submit to the court
a certified copy of the child's birth certificate if available to
the petitioner. If a certified copy of the child's birth
certificate is not available to the petitioner, the court at any
time during the pendency of the suit may request another party to
whom a certified copy of the child's birth certificate is available
to submit a copy to the court. If a certified copy of the child's
birth certificate is not available to any party or if the copy does
not name both of the child's parents, the court may request from any
party at any time during the pendency of the suit alternative proof
of the identity of the child's parents. The court shall keep
confidential any certificate or other proof submitted under this
subsection.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if
the Title IV-D agency files a petition in a suit affecting the
parent-child relationship, the agency is not required to:
(1) include in the petition the statement described by
Subsection (b)(11); [or]
(2) attach copies of the documentation described by
Subsection (c); or
(3) submit to the court a copy of a child's birth
certificate or other proof of the identity of the child's parents as
described by Subsection (c-1).
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to a
suit affecting the parent-child relationship that is filed on or
after the effective date of this Act. A suit affecting the
parent-child relationship filed before the effective date of this
Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the suit was filed,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.