By: West S.B. No. 227

(In the Senate - Filed November 12, 2024; February 3, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Health & Human Services; April 14, 2025, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; April 14, 2025, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 227 By: Perry

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the application review process for certain delayed birth certificates.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 192.025, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subsections (f) and (g) to read as follows:

(f) The state registrar may not reject an application under this subchapter based solely on the inclusion of supporting evidence that contains inconsistent or contradictory information if, based on the contents of the application as a whole, the state registrar determines by a preponderance of the evidence the applicant's identity and place of birth. In making a determination under this subsection, the state registrar shall consider and give weight to:

(1) any supporting evidence that raises a legitimate question as to the applicant's actual place of birth;

(2) the inclusion of a valid driver's license or personal identification certificate; and

(3) the inclusion of a verified affidavit by a person with personal knowledge of the applicant's identity.

(g) Notwithstanding any other law, if a delayed birth certificate of a person who was born before January 1, 1971, is otherwise acceptable for registration and the identity of one parent of the person is established by information not contradictory to information available to the state registrar, the state registrar shall register the certificate with only the established parent's name entered on the certificate.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

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