85R2354 AAF-D     By: Menéndez S.B. No. 2107       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the requirements for the issuance of identification   documentation for foster care youth.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 191, Health and Safety   Code, is amended by adding Section 191.0049 to read as follows:          Sec. 191.0049.  BIRTH RECORD ISSUED TO FOSTER CHILD; PILOT   PROGRAM. (a) In this section, "foster child" means a person who is   16 years of age or older and in the managing conservatorship of the   Department of Family and Protective Services.          (b)  On request of a foster child, the state registrar, a   local registrar, or a county clerk shall issue, without a fee, a   certified copy of the foster child's birth record.          (c)  The department shall participate in a foster child   identification verification pilot program for the purpose of   issuing birth records to foster children.          (d)  Under the pilot program, the department may:                (1)  enter into a memorandum of understanding with the   Department of Family and Protective Services to establish an   identification verification process for foster children; and                (2)  issue a birth certificate to a foster child whose   identity has been confirmed through the verification process.          (e)  At the conclusion of the pilot program, the   participating agencies may agree to continue the pilot program on a   permanent basis.          (f)  Not later than January 1, 2019, the department and the   Department of Family and Protective Services shall jointly issue a   report to the legislature addressing the status and effectiveness   of the pilot program.  This subsection expires September 1, 2019.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter E, Chapter 521, Transportation Code,   is amended by adding Section 521.1015 to read as follows:          Sec. 521.1015.  PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATE ISSUED   TO FOSTER CHILD. (a) In this section, "foster child" means a   person who is 16 years of age or older and in the managing   conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective   Services.          (b)  Notwithstanding Section 521.101, Section 521.1426, or   any other provision of this chapter, a foster child may, in applying   for a personal identification certificate:                (1)  provide a copy of the foster child's birth   certificate or a copy of the foster child's social security card as   proof of the foster child's identity and United States citizenship,   as applicable; and                (2)  use the address of the regional office where the   Department of Family and Protective Services caseworker for the   foster child is based, if the foster child:                      (A)  does not have a residence or domicile; or                      (B)  cannot show proof of the foster child's   residence or domicile.          (c)  A foster child may apply for and the department may   issue a personal identification certificate without the signature   or presence of or permission from a parent or guardian of the foster   child.          (d)  A foster child is exempt from the payment of any fee for   the issuance of a personal identification certificate under this   chapter.          SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to   a request for a birth record or an application for a personal   identification certificate submitted on or after the effective date   of this Act. A request for a birth record or an application for a   personal identification certificate submitted before the effective   date of this Act is governed by the law as it existed immediately   before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in   effect for that purpose.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.