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Texas · 89th Legislature Regular Session
HB1973Relating to proof of the identity of a child's parents in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.
Direction
Custody & supportpaternityAI label
↓Restricts rights of the paying or noncustodial parentmodel confidence 70%
Requires submission of child's birth certificate or alternative proof of parents' identity in suits affecting the parent-child relationship (except for Title IV-D agency petitions), which facilitates establishing or verifying paternity.
The petitioner shall additionally submit to the court a certified copy of the child's birth certificate if available to the petitioner.
✓ Quote verified word for word in the bill text
Custody & supportotherAI label
=No change to rights of the paying or noncustodial parentmodel confidence 60%
Requires submission of child's birth certificate or alternative proof of parents' identity in suits affecting the parent-child relationship (except for Title IV-D agency petitions), which may affect custody, support, or related proceedings by verifying parental identity.
If a certified copy of the child's birth certificate is not available to any party or if the copy does not name both of the child's parents, the court may request from any party at any time during the pendency of the suit alternative proof of the identity of the child's parents.
✓ Quote verified word for word in the bill text
Filed (completed)
Committee (completed)
Passed one chamber (completed)
Passed both (completed)
Governor (completed)
Law
Stage: Law · step 6 of 6
Last action
2025-06-20: Effective on 9/1/25
Filed
2025-01-22
Sponsor
David Cook R, Judith Zaffirini D + 1 cosponsor (1 D)
Why the model tagged it this way: The bill amends Family Code §102.008 to require petitioners in suits affecting the parent-child relationship to submit a child's birth certificate (or alternative proof of parental identity if unavailable or incomplete), with provisions for sealing and exceptions for Title IV-D agency filings. This substantively addresses paternity verification and has a neutral procedural effect on broader custody-support matters between parents.
Related bills
HB737Relating to searches of the state registry of paternity.=No change to rights of the paying or noncustodial parent Filed
HB947Relating to a suit for dissolution of a marriage and associated suit affecting the parent-child relationship when a party is pregnant.↑Expands rights of the paying or noncustodial parent↓Restricts rights of the paying or noncustodial parent Filed
HB175Relating to a court order for retroactive child support, including for retroactive child support beginning on the date of the child's concep↓Restricts rights of the paying or noncustodial parent↓Restricts rights of the paying or noncustodial parent Died (session ended)
HB88Relating to a court order for retroactive child support, including for retroactive child support beginning on the date of the child's concep↓Restricts rights of the paying or noncustodial parent↓Restricts rights of the paying or noncustodial parent Died (session ended)
Hearings and calendar
2025-03-24 14:00 · Hearing · House S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships Committee Hearing E2.016