Chap. 39.—An ACT to amend and re-cnact section 1 of an act entitled an act to
legalize the adoption of minor children, approved February 5, 1802.

Approved January 8, 1898.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That section one
of an act entitled an act to legalize the adoption of munor children, ap-
proved February fifth, eighteen hundred and ninety-two, be amended
ahd re-enacted so as to read as follows:

St. That an inhabitant of this state not married, or a husband and
wife Jointly, may petition the county or circuit court of their proper
county, or the corporation or eirenit: court of their proper city, for leave to
adopt a minor child not theirs by birth, and fora change of the name of
such child; but a written consent must be given to such adoption by the
child, if of the ave of fourteen vears, and by each of his or her living
parents, who is not hopelessly insane or habitually intemperate, or has
not abandoned such child; or if there are no such parents, or 1f the par-
ents are unknown, or have abandoned such child, or if they are hope-
lesslv insane or hi vbitu: ally intemperate, then by the legal guardian; or
if there be no such guardian, then by a disereet and suitable person ap-
y" ited by the court to act in the proceedings as the next friend of such
child; but if such parents or guardian join in said petition it shall be
deemed such consent in writing.

2. This act shall be in force from its passage.