BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                       H.B. 240

79R7698 JMM-F                                                                                               By: Goolsby (Lucio)

Jurisprudence

4/30/2005

Engrossed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

H.B. 240 gives adopted persons over the age of 18 who already know the name(s) of their birth parent(s) listed on the original birth certificate the ability to obtain a non-certified copy of the original birth certificate without obtaining a court order.

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 Section 192.008, Health and Safety Code, by amending subsection (d) and adding Subsection (f), as follows:

(d)  Creates an exception to this subsection as provided by Subsection (f).

(f)  Entitles an adult adoptee who is applying for access to the person's original birth certificate and who knows the identity of each parent named on the original birth certificate to a noncertified copy of the original birth certificate without obtaining a court order.

SECTION 2.  Provides that the change in law made by this Act applies to access to an original birth certificate by an adopted person without regard to whether the adoption order for the person was rendered before, on, or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2005.