| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Negative | Neutral |
Relating to the issuance of a birth record, driver’s license, or personal identification certificate to victims and the children of victims of family or dating violence.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
SB 798 would exempt victims of dating violence or family violence, and the children of such victims, from paying fees to obtain a copy of their birth record, receive a personal identification certificate, or be issued a driver’s license.
Texas Action opposes SB 798 because it gives special legal privileges to particular categories of individuals. Laws ought to be fair and applied equally. If the cost to obtain these documents is too high a barrier, it should be lowered for everyone. The Legislature granting exemptions and privileges to specific groups, including highly sympathetic groups, is inconsistent with the concept of equal application of the law. It is more properly the domain of charitable nonprofit organizations to help people in need such as victims of the crimes this bill pertains to.