SRC-MSY S.B. 579 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 579 78R4601 JMM-DBy: Lindsay State Affairs 3/10/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current Texas law requires the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (DPRS) to edit documents and records related to an adoption in order to protect the identity of the birth parents or other persons whose identity is confidential. As proposed, S.B. 579 provides that DPRS is not required to do so if the confidential information is already known to the birth parents or can easily be obtained through other sources, such as court records related to the child's custody. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 162A, Family Code, by adding Section 162.0065, as follows: Sec. 162.0065. EDITING ADOPTION RECORDS IN DEPARTMENT PLACEMENT. Provides that the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (DPRS), in an adoption in which the child is placed for adoption by DPRS, is not required to edit records to protect the identity of birth parents and other persons whose identity is confidential if DPRS determines that such information is already known to the adoptive parent or readily available through other sources, including certain court records, notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter. SECTION 2. Amends Section 261.201(d), Family Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2003. Makes application of this Act prospective.