Bill Caption

Relating to the creation and optional filing of a record of life for an unborn child and the use of a certificate of still birth; authorizing fees. 

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB 2676, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted : a NEGATIVE impact of ($900,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023. 

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. 

Bill Analysis

HB 2676  would allow unborn children's parents to request a life certificate for the unborn child before the child's birth. The Department of State Health Services would be able to prescribe the form and content of the certificate. Such a certificate would be required to include the name of the child (if the parents provide it) or the term "baby girl"/"baby boy", the date of the child's life, and the date the unborn child is born. On request from the parent, a physician or advanced practice nurse would have to file a life certificate with the local registrar of the registration district of the parents. 

HB 2676 would require local registrars to 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. The parents of an unborn child would be allowed to use the life certificate of an unborn child in the same manner and for the same purpose provided by birth certificates. The executive commissioner would be allowed to adopt rules as necessary to implement these certificates. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action is neutral on HB 2676.