Certain foster youth and homeless youth can apply for a personal identification certificate using alternative documents and without a parent or guardian’s signature, presence, or permission, and the department must waive the fee.
Sec. 521.1015. PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATE ISSUED TO FOSTER CHILD OR YOUTH OR HOMELESS CHILD OR YOUTH. (a) In this section: (1) "Foster child or youth" means: (A) a child in the managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services; or (B) a young adult who: (i) is at least 18 years of age, but younger than 21 years of age; and (ii) resides in a foster care placement, the cost of which is paid by the Department of Family and Protective Services. (2) "Homeless child or 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 or youth or a homeless child or 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: (A) provide a letter certifying the child or youth is a homeless child or youth issued by: (i) the school district in which the child or youth is enrolled; (ii) the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; or (iii) the director of: (a) a basic center for runaway and homeless youth; or (b) a transitional living program; or (B) use the address of the regional office where the Department of Family and Protective Services caseworker for the child or youth is based. (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) The department shall exempt a child or youth described by Subsection (b) from the payment of any fee for the issuance of a personal identification certificate under this chapter, subject to Section 521.4265. Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1024 (H.B. 123), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2019.