86R157 MCK-D
 
  By: White H.B. No. 123
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the issuance of personal identification documents for
  foster children, homeless children or youth, and unaccompanied
  youth.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  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, HOMELESS CHILD OR YOUTH, OR UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH.
  (a) In this section:
               (1)  "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.
               (2)  "Homeless child or youth" has the meaning assigned
  by 42 U.S.C. Section 11434a.
               (3)  "Unaccompanied youth" has the meaning assigned by
  42 U.S.C. Section 11434a.
         (b)  This section applies to the application for a personal
  identification certificate only for a foster child, a homeless
  child or youth, or an unaccompanied youth.
         (c)  Notwithstanding Section 521.101, Section 521.1426, or
  any other provision of this chapter, a child or youth described by
  Subsection (b) may, in applying for a personal identification
  certificate:
               (1)  provide a copy of the child's or youth's birth
  certificate as proof of the child's or youth's identity and United
  States citizenship, as applicable; and
               (2)  if the child or youth does not have a residence or
  domicile, provide a letter from the school district in which the
  child or youth is enrolled certifying that the child or youth is a
  homeless child or youth or an unaccompanied youth.
         (d)  A child or youth described by Subsection (b) 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 child or youth.
         (e)  A child or youth described by Subsection (b) is exempt
  from the payment of any fee for the issuance of a personal
  identification certificate under this chapter.
         SECTION 2.  Section 521.1811, Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 521.1811.  WAIVER OF FEES FOR FOSTER CHILD, HOMELESS
  CHILD OR YOUTH, OR UNACCOMPANIED [CARE] YOUTH. A person is exempt
  from the payment of any fee for the issuance of a driver's license,
  as provided under this chapter, if that person is:
               (1)  younger than 18 years of age and in the managing
  conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective
  Services; [or]
               (2)  at least 18 years of age, but younger than 21 years
  of age, and resides in a foster care placement, the cost of which is
  paid by the Department of Family and Protective Services; or
               (3)  a homeless child or youth or an unaccompanied
  youth as those terms are defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 11434a.
         SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by this Act apply to an
  application for a driver's license or personal identification
  certificate submitted on or after the effective date of this Act.
  An application for a driver's license or personal identification
  certificate submitted before the effective date of this Act is
  governed by the law in effect on the date the application was
  submitted, and the former law is continued in effect for that
  purpose.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.