S.B. No. 227, known as the Charles Edward Barton Act, amends the Health and Safety Code to improve the application review process for delayed birth certificates. The bill introduces new provisions that prevent the state registrar from rejecting an application solely based on inconsistent or contradictory supporting evidence, provided that the registrar can determine the applicant's identity and place of birth by a preponderance of the evidence. The registrar is required to consider various forms of supporting evidence, including valid identification and affidavits from individuals with personal knowledge of the applicant.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that for individuals born before January 1, 1971, if a delayed birth certificate is otherwise acceptable and the identity of one parent can be established without contradicting existing information, the registrar must register the certificate with only that parent's name. This legislation aims to streamline the process for obtaining delayed birth certificates and ensure that individuals can establish their identities more easily. The Act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 192.025 (Health and Safety Code 192)
Senate Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 192.025 (Health and Safety Code 192)
Engrossed: Health and Safety Code 192.025 (Health and Safety Code 192)
House Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 192.025 (Health and Safety Code 192)
Enrolled: Health and Safety Code 192.025 (Health and Safety Code 192)