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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the application review process for certain delayed |
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birth certificates. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 192.025, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsections (f) and (g) to read as follows: |
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(f) The state registrar may not reject an application under |
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this subchapter based solely on the inclusion of supporting |
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evidence that contains inconsistent or contradictory information |
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if, based on the contents of the application as a whole, the state |
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registrar determines by a preponderance of the evidence the |
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applicant's identity and place of birth. In making a determination |
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under this subsection, the state registrar shall consider and give |
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weight to: |
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(1) any supporting evidence that raises a legitimate |
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question as to the applicant's actual place of birth; |
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(2) the inclusion of a valid driver's license or |
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personal identification certificate; and |
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(3) the inclusion of a verified affidavit by a person |
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with personal knowledge of the applicant's identity. |
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(g) Notwithstanding any other law, if a delayed birth |
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certificate of a person who was born before January 1, 1959, is |
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otherwise acceptable for registration and the identity of one |
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parent of the person is established by information not |
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contradictory to information available to the state registrar, the |
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state registrar shall register the certificate with only the |
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established parent's name entered on the certificate. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |