AB 651

This bill allows a parent to change the last name of a child under 14 years old

without notice to the other parent if that other parent has been convicted of certain

homicide or sex offenses.

Under current law, a parent of a child under 14 years old who has two living

parents must file proof that the petitioning parent published notice of a petition to

change the last name of the child and, in addition, file proof that the petitioning

parent served a copy of the notice and petition on the nonpetitioning parent. Current

law allows that proof of notice to the nonpetitioning parent is not required if the

petitioning parent shows that he or she made a reasonable attempt to find and

provide notice to the nonpetitioning parent, but with reasonable diligence that the

nonpetitioning parent cannot be found or provided with notice. Under current law,

if the nonpetitioning parent appears at the hearing on the petition or otherwise

answers the petition, the court may require consent of the nonpetitioning parent

before changing the name of the child. Under the bill, if a nonpetitioning parent has

been convicted of certain homicide or sex offenses, the petitioning parent may

proceed with a petition for the name change of a child under 14 years old without

providing or attempting to provide notice to the nonpetitioning parent.