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AN ACT
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relating to personal identification documents for foster children |
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or youth or homeless children or youth. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 264.121, Family Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (e-3) to read as follows: |
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(e-3) When obtaining a copy of a birth certificate to |
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provide to a foster youth or assisting a foster youth in obtaining a |
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copy of a birth certificate, the department shall obtain the birth |
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certificate from the state registrar. If the department is unable |
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to obtain the birth certificate from the state registrar, the |
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department may obtain the birth certificate from a local registrar |
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or county clerk. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 191, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 191.0049 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 191.0049. BIRTH RECORD ISSUED TO FOSTER CHILD OR YOUTH |
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OR HOMELESS CHILD OR YOUTH. On request of a child or youth |
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described by this section, the state registrar, a local registrar, |
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or a county clerk shall issue, without fee or parental consent, a |
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certified copy of the child's or youth's birth record to: |
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(1) a homeless child or youth as defined by 42 U.S.C. |
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Section 11434a; |
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(2) a child in the managing conservatorship of the |
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Department of Family and Protective Services; and |
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(3) a young adult who: |
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(A) is at least 18 years of age, but younger than |
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21 years of age; and |
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(B) resides in a foster care placement, the cost |
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of which is paid by the Department of Family and Protective |
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Services. |
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SECTION 3. Subchapter E, Chapter 521, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 521.1015 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 521.1015. PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATE ISSUED |
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TO FOSTER CHILD OR YOUTH OR HOMELESS CHILD OR YOUTH. (a) In this |
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section: |
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(1) "Foster child or youth" means: |
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(A) a child in the managing conservatorship of |
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the Department of Family and Protective Services; or |
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(B) a young adult who: |
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(i) is at least 18 years of age, but younger |
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than 21 years of age; and |
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(ii) resides in a foster care placement, |
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the cost of which is paid by the Department of Family and Protective |
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Services. |
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(2) "Homeless child or youth" has the meaning assigned |
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by 42 U.S.C. Section 11434a. |
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(b) This section applies to the application for a personal |
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identification certificate only for a foster child or youth or a |
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homeless child or youth. |
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(c) Notwithstanding Section 521.101, Section 521.1426, or |
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any other provision of this chapter, a child or youth described by |
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Subsection (b) may, in applying for a personal identification |
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certificate: |
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(1) provide a copy of the child's or youth's birth |
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certificate as proof of the child's or youth's identity and United |
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States citizenship, as applicable; and |
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(2) if the child or youth does not have a residence or |
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domicile: |
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(A) provide a letter certifying the child or |
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youth is a homeless child or youth issued by: |
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(i) the school district in which the child |
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or youth is enrolled; |
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(ii) the director of an emergency shelter |
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or transitional housing program funded by the United States |
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Department of Housing and Urban Development; or |
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(iii) the director of: |
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(a) a basic center for runaway and |
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homeless youth; or |
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(b) a transitional living program; or |
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(B) use the address of the regional office where |
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the Department of Family and Protective Services caseworker for the |
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child or youth is based. |
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(d) A child or youth described by Subsection (b) may apply |
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for and the department may issue a personal identification |
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certificate without the signature or presence of or permission from |
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a parent or guardian of the child or youth. |