SB 1590
vital statistics unit builds an electronic custody records system
Died in committee
Verdict: No flags
Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to duties of the vital statistics unit of the Department of State Health Services in relation to certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship, including in regard to the electronic transmission of certain information.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Courts and attorneys request prior custody suits and paternity registry information online.
The bill requires the state vital statistics unit to set up an electronic system for courts, attorneys, parties, family protective services, and others to request information about prior custody suits and the paternity registry. It also drops the requirement that requests be written and sets a 10-day deadline for the unit to send back paternity registry search results, which can now carry a digital signature. Starting with requests received on or after January 1, 2026, people dealing with custody and paternity cases should get these records faster and online.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-SB1590 · 2025-02-24
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to duties of the vital statistics unit of the Department of State Health Services in relation to certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship, including in regard to the electronic transmission of certain information.
WHAT IT DOES
Courts and attorneys request prior custody suits and paternity registry information online.
The bill requires the state vital statistics unit to set up an electronic system for courts, attorneys, parties, family protective services, and others to request information about prior custody suits and the paternity registry. It also drops the requirement that requests be written and sets a 10-day deadline for the unit to send back paternity registry search results, which can now carry a digital signature. Starting with requests received on or after January 1, 2026, people dealing with custody and paternity cases should get these records faster and online.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
LBB estimate, flow · fiscal note version I · ( ) = negative · source
Sources
Fiscal note · version I · May 6, 2025
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1590, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($3,092,610) through the biennium ending August 31, 2027. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
First year · FY 2026 · ($3,092,610)
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.
Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
HISTORY
- Received by the Secretary of the Senate
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Health & Human Services
- Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
- Considered in public hearing
- Left pending in committee
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Top donors to Texans for Kelly Hancock SPAC during his Senate service. Not tied to this bill.
Sources
Gifts to Texans for Kelly Hancock SPAC dated July 1, 2024 to June 18, 2025, while he served in the Senate.
Derived from itemized gifts. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
MoneyMissing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
LBB estimate, flow · fiscal note version I · ( ) = negative · source
Sources
Fiscal note · version I · May 6, 2025
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1590, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($3,092,610) through the biennium ending August 31, 2027. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
First year · FY 2026 · ($3,092,610)
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.
Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas Senate · Filed Feb 24, 2025
05/07/2025 S Left pending in committee
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Senate committee · Health & Human Services · Final status: Died in committee
Companion
HB 4795 by Noble (identical)
Subjects
Electronic Information Systems
Family--Parent & Child
Health--General
VITAL STATISTICS & RECORDS
FAMILY & PROTECTIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
STATE HEALTH SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
Text
The text as introduced · 467 words
89R9185 KRM-F By: Hancock S.B. No. 1590 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to duties of the vital statistics unit of the Department of State Health Services in relation to certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship, including in regard to the electronic transmission of certain information. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 155.101, Family Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: (b) The vital statistics unit shall, on the [ written ] request of the Department of Family and Protective Services, the court, an attorney, or a party: (1) identify the court that last had continuing, exclusive jurisdiction of the child in a suit and give the docket number of the suit; or (2) state that the child has not been the subject of a suit. (e) The vital statistics unit shall establish an electronic process through which the Department of Family and Protective Services, the court, an attorney, or a party may request information under this section. SECTION 2. Section 160.422, Family Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: (a) Not later than the 10th day after the date a request is received from an individual, a court, or an agency listed in Section 160.412(b), the [ The ] vital statistics unit shall furnish a certificate of the results of a search of the registry [ on request by an individual, a court, or an agency listed in Section 160.412(b) ]. (a-1) The vital statistics unit shall establish an electronic process through which an individual, a court, or an agency listed in Section 160.412(b) may request information under this section. (b) The certificate of the results of a search must include a digitized or written signature [ be signed ] on behalf of the unit and state that: (1) a search has been made of the registry; and (2) a registration containing the information required to identify the registrant: (A) has been found and is attached to the certificate; or (B) has not been found. SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act. SECTION 4. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to a request received by the vital statistics unit of the Department of State Health Services on or after January 1, 2026. A request received before January 1, 2026, is governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.