H.B. No. 1193 amends the Family Code to enhance the confidentiality of certain information on declarations of informal marriage. The bill introduces a new provision that allows parties to check a box indicating their preference for keeping their personally identifying information confidential. If this box is checked, the county clerk is prohibited from publicly disclosing any personally identifying information, except for the names of the parties involved. Additionally, the vital statistics unit is restricted from providing any personally identifying information related to the marriage, again only allowing the names of the parties to be shared with authorized individuals.

The bill also updates the declaration form to include a printed box for the confidentiality option and modifies the structure of the declaration to ensure clarity. It specifies that these changes apply only to declarations executed on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. Declarations made prior to this date will continue to be governed by the existing law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 2.004, Family Code 2.402, Health and Safety Code 194.004 (Family Code 2, Health and Safety Code 194)
House Committee Report: Family Code 2.402, Health and Safety Code 194.004 (Family Code 2, Health and Safety Code 194)
Engrossed: Family Code 2.402, Health and Safety Code 194.004 (Family Code 2, Health and Safety Code 194)
Senate Committee Report: Family Code 2.402, Health and Safety Code 194.004 (Family Code 2, Health and Safety Code 194)
Enrolled: Family Code 2.402, Health and Safety Code 194.004 (Family Code 2, Health and Safety Code 194)