§ 8816

In an independent adoption where the consent of the birth parent or parents is not necessary, the department or delegated county adoption agency shall, before the hearing of the petition, file its consent to the adoption with the clerk of the court in which the petition is filed. The consent may not be given unless the child’s welfare will be promoted by the adoption.

(Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)