Evidence Testing Grant Program and Ending Homelessness Donations

Texas Department of Motor Vehicles

Please review and distribute as appropriate.

The 85th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 4102 that added Sections 502.414 and 502.415 to the Texas Transportation Code. The new sections introduce two new voluntary donations, the Evidence Testing Grant Program 502.414 and the Ending Homelessness Fund 504.415.

Customers now have the opportunity to donate to these funds when renewing their registration in person at the county, at participating subcontractor locations, by mail, or online through the Internet Vehicle Title and Registration Service.  The Motor Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice (Form VTR-39-A) has been revised to include the logo and website for the Ending Homelessness Fund as well as a placeholder for the Evidence Testing Grant Program.

Donations made to the Evidence Testing Grant Program will go toward testing evidence collected in relation to a sexual assault or other sex offense. It is estimated there are thousands of unexamined rape kits that have not been tested statewide primarily due to lack of funding. We have received reports of confusion regarding the name of this contribution. Customers wanting to make a donation to the Evidence Testing Grant Program may also refer to it as sexual assault or rape kit testing. Please clarify this with front line personnel.

Donations made to the Ending Homelessness Fund are used to provide grants to local government in an effort to fight homelessness.

If you need additional information, please contact your local Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Regional Service Center.

Thank you,

Jeremiah Kuntz, Director
Vehicle Titles and Registration Division
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles

JK:TT:TM

If you have any questions concerning this communication, please contact your local TxDMV Regional Service Center.