88R4083 MCF-F
 
  By: Bonnen H.B. No. 4044
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation and optional filing of a record of life for
  an unborn child and the use of a certificate of stillbirth;
  authorizing fees.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Chapter 192, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 192. BIRTH AND LIFE RECORDS
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 192, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 192.0023 to read as follows:
         Sec. 192.0023.  OPTIONAL REGISTRATION OF LIFE; LIFE
  CERTIFICATE. (a) In this section, "unborn child" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 171.061.
         (b)  An unborn child's parent who is a resident of this state
  at the parent's discretion may request the preparation of a life
  certificate for the unborn child before the unborn child's birth.
         (c)  The department shall prescribe the form and content of
  the life certificate and shall specify the information necessary to
  prepare the certificate. The form must include separate spaces for
  recording:
               (1)  the name of the unborn child;
               (2)  the date the unborn child's life is acknowledged;
  and
               (3)  the date the unborn child is born.
         (d)  The parent who requests the life certificate may provide
  a name for the unborn child to be listed on the life certificate. If
  the parent does not wish to provide a name, the vital statistics
  unit shall fill in the certificate with the name "baby boy" or "baby
  girl" and the last name of the parent.
         (e)  On request of an unborn child's parent, a physician or
  advanced practice registered nurse shall file the life certificate
  with the local registrar of the registration district in which the
  parent resides. The life certificate must be accompanied by an
  affidavit signed by the physician or nurse attesting to the life of
  the unborn child based on a sonogram or other appropriate physical
  examination of the unborn child's mother.
         (f)  A parent may request an amendment to the life
  certificate after the child's birth to add the child's date of birth
  or add or amend the child's name.
         (g)  A local registrar shall collect, record, preserve,
  search for, issue copies of, and assess copy fees for a life
  certificate in the same manner as provided for birth certificates
  and in accordance with department rules.
         (h)  The parents of an unborn child may use the life
  certificate of an unborn child filed under this section in the same
  manner and for the same purposes provided for birth certificates
  under law and as provided by department rules.
         (i)  The executive commissioner shall adopt rules to
  implement this section.
         SECTION 3.  Section 192.0022(f), Health and Safety Code, is
  repealed.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.