87R3258 EAS-D
	By: Ramos	H.B. No. 675

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the participation of armed forces members in a marriage
	ceremony through video conference technology.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 2.007, Family Code, is amended to read as
	follows:
	Sec. 2.007.  AFFIDAVIT OF ABSENT APPLICANT. (a) The
	affidavit of an absent applicant must include:
	(1)  the absent applicant's full name, including the
	maiden surname of a female applicant, address, date of birth, place
	of birth, including city, county, and state, citizenship, and
	social security number, if any;
	(2)  a declaration that the absent applicant has not
	been divorced within the last 30 days;
	(3)  a declaration that the absent applicant is:
	(A)  not presently married; or
	(B)  married to the other applicant and they wish
	to marry again;
	(4)  a declaration that the other applicant is not
	presently married and is not related to the absent applicant as:
	(A)  an ancestor or descendant, by blood or
	adoption;
	(B)  a brother or sister, of the whole or half
	blood or by adoption;
	(C)  a parent's brother or sister, of the whole or
	half blood or by adoption;
	(D)  a son or daughter of a brother or sister, of
	the whole or half blood or by adoption;
	(E)  a current or former stepchild or stepparent;
	or
	(F)  a son or daughter of a parent's brother or
	sister, of the whole or half blood or by adoption;
	(5)  a declaration that the absent applicant desires to
	marry and the name, age, and address of the person to whom the
	absent applicant desires to be married;
	(6)  the approximate date on which the marriage is to
	occur; and
	(7)  the reason the absent applicant is unable to
	appear personally before the county clerk for the issuance of the
	license[; and
	[(8)  the appointment of any adult, other than the
	other applicant, to act as proxy for the purpose of participating in
	the ceremony, if the absent applicant is:
	[(A)  a member of the armed forces of the United
	States stationed in another country in support of combat or another
	military operation; and
	[(B)  unable to attend the ceremony].
	(b)  In addition to the requirements of Subsection (a), an
	absent applicant who is a member of the armed forces of the United
	States stationed in another country in support of combat or another
	military operation who is unable to attend the marriage ceremony
	authorized under Section 2.203 shall include in the applicant's
	affidavit:
	(1)  the appointment of any adult, other than the other
	applicant, to act as proxy for the purpose of participating in the
	ceremony; or
	(2)  a statement indicating that the applicant prefers
	to participate in the ceremony through the use of video conference
	technology, if available.
	SECTION 2.  Section 2.203(b), Family Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	(b)  A person described by Section 2.007(b) may:
	(1)  assent to marriage by the appearance of the [a]
	proxy appointed in the affidavit authorized by Subchapter A; or
	(2)  participate in the ceremony through the use of
	video conference technology [if the person is:
	[(1)  a member of the armed forces of the United States
	stationed in another country in support of combat or another
	military operation; and
	[(2)  unable to attend the ceremony].
	SECTION 3.  Subchapter C, Chapter 27, Government Code, is
	amended by adding Section 27.062 to read as follows:
	Sec. 27.062.  VIDEO CONFERENCE TECHNOLOGY. For purposes of
	Section 2.203(b), Family Code, an office of the justice of the peace
	that has video conference technology for courtroom use may make
	that technology available for use in a ceremony conducted by a
	justice of the peace.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.