H.B. No. 429 aims to enhance voter education regarding the participation of children in the voting process. The bill introduces a new section, 31.131, to the Election Code, which mandates the Secretary of State to develop educational materials for parents about the procedures that allow children under 16 years of age to read and mark ballots while accompanying their parents to voting stations. These materials will be made available on the Secretary's Internet website, and county election officials are also required to provide this information on their respective websites.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 64.002(b) of the Election Code to clarify that a child under 18 may accompany a parent to a voting station, and specifically states that if the child is under 16, they may read or mark the ballot at the parent's direction. It further specifies that this action does not count as assisting a voter under the relevant subchapter. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 64.002 (Election Code 64)