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AN ACT
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relating to proof of the identity of a child's parents in a suit |
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affecting the parent-child relationship. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 102.008, Family Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (c-1) and amending Subsection (d) to read as |
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follows: |
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(c-1) The petitioner shall additionally submit to the court |
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a certified copy of the child's birth certificate if available to |
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the petitioner. If a certified copy of the child's birth |
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certificate is not available to the petitioner, the court at any |
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time during the pendency of the suit may request another party to |
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whom a certified copy of the child's birth certificate is available |
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to submit a copy to the court. A certified copy of the child's birth |
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certificate submitted under this subsection must be submitted for |
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filing under seal and filed separately from any other document. If |
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a certified copy of the child's birth certificate is not available |
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to any party or if the copy does not name both of the child's |
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parents, the court may request from any party at any time during the |
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pendency of the suit alternative proof of the identity of the |
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child's parents. The court shall seal or otherwise keep |
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confidential any certificate or other proof submitted under this |
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subsection, as applicable. |
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(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if |
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the Title IV-D agency files a petition in a suit affecting the |
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parent-child relationship, the agency is not required to: |
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(1) include in the petition the statement described by |
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Subsection (b)(11); [or] |
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(2) attach copies of the documentation described by |
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Subsection (c); or |
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(3) submit to the court a copy of a child's birth |
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certificate or other proof of the identity of the child's parents as |
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described by Subsection (c-1). |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to a |
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suit affecting the parent-child relationship that is filed on or |
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after the effective date of this Act. A suit affecting the |
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parent-child relationship filed before the effective date of this |
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Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the suit was filed, |
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and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 1973 was passed by the House on May 2, |
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2025, by the following vote: Yeas 133, Nays 0, 1 present, not |
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voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. |
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No. 1973 on May 30, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 133, Nays 2, |
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2 present, not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 1973 was passed by the Senate, with |
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amendments, on May 28, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays |
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0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: __________________ |
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Date |
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__________________ |
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Governor |