Opinion ID: 2640218
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: S.A.2007 Supp. 59-2136(d)

Text: The most recent version of the stepparent adoption statute, K.S.A.2007 Supp. 59-2136(d), states: [T]he consent of [the natural] father must be given to the adoption unless such father has failed or refused to assume the duties of a parent for two consecutive years next preceding the filing of the petition for adoption or is incapable of giving such consent. In determining whether a father's consent is required under this subsection, the court may disregard incidental visitations, contacts, communications or contributions. In determining whether the father has failed or refused to assume the duties of a parent for two consecutive years next preceding the filing of the petition for adoption, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that if the father, after having knowledge of the child's birth, has knowingly failed to provide a substantial portion of the child support as required by judicial decree, when financially able to do so, for a period of two years next preceding the filing of the petition for adoption, then such father has failed or refused to assume the duties of a parent. The court may consider the best interests of the child and the fitness of the nonconsenting parent in determining whether a stepparent adoption should be granted.  (Emphasis added.) The final sentence in the stepparent adoption statutethat relating to the best interests of the child and the fitness of the nonconsenting parentwas added when the statute was amended in 2006. See L. 2006, ch. 22, sec. 1. The Court of Appeals decision in this case is the only opinion of a Kansas appellate court interpreting the amended statute; the matter therefore comes before this court on petition for review as a case of first impression. Both the district court and the Court of Appeals struggled with the interpretation and application of the amended statute. Though the district court recognized that the amendment changed prior law by allowing the best interests of the child and the fitness of the nonconsenting parent to be considered in a stepparent adoption, the court had difficulty determining how these new considerations should be incorporated. As the court pondered in its memorandum opinion: [W]hat weight are these new factors to be given? Are the factors to be of relative equal weight or is the best interest of the child an overriding factor to which the others are subordinate? The statute itself does not answer these questions. The Court of Appeals also had difficulty reconciling the provisions of the amended statute, stating: It is difficult to ascertain exactly what the legislature was trying to accomplish with the 2006 amendment to the stepparent adoption statute.... On the one hand, the father's consent must be given to a stepparent adoption unless the father has failed to assume his parental duties for 2 consecutive years immediately preceding the filing of the petition for adoption. These duties include both financial support and love and affection. On the other hand, the court may consider the best interests of the child and the fitness of the nonconsenting parent in determining whether a stepparent adoption should be granted. It is difficult to reconcile these inconsistent provisions. K.S.A.2006 Supp. 59-2136(d) needs further clarification from the legislature. If the legislature intends that the natural parent's consent for a stepparent adoption is not required if the natural parent fails to provide either financial support or love and affection for 2 consecutive years immediately preceding the filing of the petition for adoption, this should be clearly stated. Likewise, if the legislature desires the best interests of the child to be the controlling factor in a stepparent adoption, it can easily say so. As long as the language remains unclear, however, courts shall continue to strictly construe the statute in favor of maintaining the rights of natural parents. In re S.E.B., 257 Kan. [266, 273, 891 P.2d 440 (1995) ]. In re Adoption of G.L.V., 38 Kan.App.2d 144, 154, 163 P.3d 334 (2007). There can be no doubt that the 2006 amendment to K.S.A. 59-2136(d) altered the law regarding stepparent adoptions. In some respects, the statute became more ambiguous, as the legislature did not explicitly describe the role that the best interests of the child and the fitness of the nonconsenting parent should play in contested stepparent adoptions. Nevertheless, we must ascertain the legislative intent behind the enactment and, to the extent possible, reach a reasonable interpretation of the statutory language. See Ross, 245 Kan. at 594, 783 P.2d 331 (it is the duty of the court, as far as practicable, to reconcile the different provisions [of a statute] so as to make them consistent, harmonious, and sensible); Howard, 218 Kan. 248, Syl. ¶ 2, 544 P.2d 791 (courts are not permitted to consider only a certain isolated part or parts of an act, but are required to consider and construe together all parts thereof in pari materia ). Because K.S.A.2007 Supp. 59-2136(d) is ambiguous as to how the best interests of the child and fitness of the nonconsenting parent should affect courts' treatment of stepparent adoptions, we look to the historical background of the enactment, the circumstances attending its passage, the purpose to be accomplished, and the effect the statute may have under the various constructions suggested. [Citation omitted.] Robinett, 270 Kan. at 100-01, 12 P.3d 411; see In re Adoption of B.M.W., 268 Kan. at 877, 2 P.3d 159.