CHAPTER 299

An Act to amend and reenact § 37-96 as amended of the Code of Virginia,
relating to the disposition of children born in a colony or hospital
of the Department of Mental Hygiene and Hospitals of this State.

[(S 183]
Approved March 31, 1964

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 37-96 as amended of the Code of Virginia be amended and
reenacted as follows: a

§ 37-96. Any child born in any colony or hospital shall be deemed
a resident of the county or city in which the mother had legal residence
at the time of commitment. Such child shall be removed from such colony
or hospital as soon after birth as the health and well-being of the child
permit, to tts father, or other member of its family. Failing to effect the
child’s removal as aforesaid, the superintendent shall cause the filing of
a petition in the juvenile court of the county or city wherein the child is
present requesting adjudication of the care and custody of the child, under
the provisions of § 16.1-178 of this Code. The judge of such court shall
take appropriate action to effect prompt removal of the child from the
institution.