BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 239
79R2146 YDB-F By: Janek
Health and Human Services
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Under current law, the state registrar and local registrars charge fees for the issuance of certified birth and death records and it is unclear whether registrars may issue non-certified copies. Law enforcement agencies must pay the fees when requesting such records, which can prevent some law enforcement agencies and child fatality review teams from getting necessary information in a cost-efficient manner.
As proposed, S.B. 239 amends existing law to allow non-certified copies of birth and death certificates to be issued to law enforcement agencies and child fatality review teams. S.B. 239 also allows law enforcement agencies and child fatality review teams to request certified copies free of charge.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 191.0046, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subsections (d) and (e), as follows:
(d) Requires the state or local registrar to issue, without fee and upon request, a certified copy of a birth or death record to a law enforcement agency of this state or of a political subdivision of this state or a copy of a birth or death record that is not certified to a child fatality review team or the child fatality review team committee established under Subchapter F, Chapter 264, Family Code.
(e) Authorizes the state or local registrar to issue a copy of a birth or death record that is not certified to a child fatality review team or the child fatality review team committee.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.