Sec. 245.0536.  PROVIDING RELEASED OR DISCHARGED CHILD WITH STATE-ISSUED IDENTIFICATION.  (a)  Before releasing a child under supervision or finally discharging a child, the department shall:
(1)  determine whether the child has:
(A)  a valid license issued under Chapter 521, Transportation Code; or
(B)  a valid personal identification certificate issued under Chapter 521, Transportation Code; and
(2)  if the child does not have a valid license or certificate described by Subdivision (1), submit to the Department of Public Safety on behalf of the child a request for the issuance of a personal identification certificate under Chapter 521, Transportation Code.
(b)  The department shall submit a request under Subsection (a)(2) as soon as is practicable to enable the department to receive the personal identification certificate before the department releases or discharges the child and to provide the child with the personal identification certificate when the department releases or discharges the child.
(c)  The department, the Department of Public Safety, and the vital statistics unit of the Department of State Health Services shall adopt a memorandum of understanding that establishes their respective responsibilities with respect to the issuance of a personal identification certificate to a child, including responsibilities related to verification of the child's identity.  The memorandum of understanding must require the Department of State Health Services to electronically verify the birth record of a child whose name and any other personal information is provided by the department and to electronically report the recorded filing information to the Department of Public Safety to validate the identity of a child under this section.
(d)  The department shall reimburse the Department of Public Safety or the Department of State Health Services for the actual costs incurred by those agencies in performing responsibilities established under this section.  The department may charge the child's parent or guardian for the actual costs incurred under this section or the fees required by Section 521.421, Transportation Code.
(e)  This section does not apply to a child who:
(1)  is not legally present in the United States; or
(2)  was not a resident of this state before the child was placed in the custody of the department.
Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 909 (H.B. 4544), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2021.