Section 8713 Of Chapter 2. Agency Adoptions From California Family Law Code >> Division 13. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 2.
8713
. (a) In no event may a child who has been freed for adoption
be removed from the county in which the child was placed, by any
person who has not petitioned to adopt the child, without first
obtaining the written consent of the department, county adoption
agency, or licensed adoption agency responsible for the child.
(b) During the pendency of an adoption proceeding:
(1) The child proposed to be adopted may not be concealed within
the county in which the adoption proceeding is pending.
(2) The child may not be removed from the county in which the
adoption proceeding is pending unless the petitioners or other
interested persons first obtain permission for the removal from the
court, after giving advance written notice of intent to obtain the
court's permission to the department, county adoption agency, or
licensed adoption agency responsible for the child. Upon proof of
giving notice, permission may be granted by the court if, within a
period of 15 days after the date of giving notice, no objections are
filed with the court by the department, county adoption agency, or
licensed adoption agency responsible for the child. If the
department, county adoption agency, or licensed adoption agency files
objections within the 15-day period, upon the request of the
petitioners the court shall immediately set the matter for hearing
and give to the objector, the petitioners, and the party or parties
requesting permission for the removal reasonable notice of the
hearing by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the address
of each as shown in the records of the adoption proceeding. Upon a
finding that the objections are without good cause, the court may
grant the requested permission for removal of the child, subject to
any limitations that appear to be in the child's best interest.
(c) This section does not apply in any of the following
situations:
(1) Where the child is absent for a period of not more than 30
days from the county in which the adoption proceeding is pending,
unless a notice of recommendation of denial of petition has been
personally served on the petitioners or the court has issued an order
prohibiting the child's removal from the county pending
consideration of any of the following:
(A) The suitability of the petitioners.
(B) The care provided the child.
(C) The availability of the legally required agency consents to
the adoption.
(2) Where the child has been returned to and remains in the
custody and control of the child's birth parent or parents.
(3) Where written consent for the removal of the child is obtained
from the department, county adoption agency, or licensed adoption
agency responsible for the child.
(d) A violation of this section is a violation of Section 280 of
the Penal Code.
(e) Neither this section nor Section 280 of the Penal Code may be
construed to render lawful any act that is unlawful under any other
applicable law.