In the event that the court shall award a dependent or neglected child to the custody of the department of children, youth, and families, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, the child shall, unless otherwise ordered, become a ward and be subject to the guardianship of the department. That guardianship shall not include the guardianship of any estate of the child. The department shall be made party to any proceeding for the legal adoption of the child and may, by its attorney or agent, appear in the family court where those proceedings are pending and consent to the adoption. However, when adoption proceedings shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the family court, then notice of the filing of the petition in the adoption proceedings shall be filed with the clerk of the family court at least twenty (20) days before any final decree of adoption shall be entered, and the entry of any final decree of adoption shall release the department from any liability which may have been incurred by it by reason of the commitment of the child to it.
History of Section.
P.L. 1944, ch. 1441, § 25; G.L. 1956, § 14-1-35; impl. am. P.L. 1961, ch. 73, § 14; Reorg. Plan No. 1, 1970; P.L. 2001, ch. 77, art. 23, § 2.