Opinion ID: 1913529
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Does SDCL 25-7-27 deny Robert Randall equal protection of the law?

Text: Robert claims SDCL 25-7-27 violates equal protection because it discriminates against adult children of indigent parents. The trial court held that it did not. Any legislative act is accorded a presumption in favor of constitutionality and that presumption is not overcome until the act is clearly and unmistakably shown beyond a reasonable doubt to violate fundamental constitutional principles. Accounts Management, Inc. v. Williams, 484 N.W.2d 297, 299 (S.D.1992) (citing In re Request for Opinion of Supreme Court, 379 N.W.2d 822, 825 (S.D. 1985); McMacken v. State, 320 N.W.2d 131, 133 (S.D.1982); South Dakota Ass'n. etc. v. State, 280 N.W.2d 662, 664-65 (S.D.1979)). Since Robert challenges the constitutionality of the statute, he bears the burden of proving the act unconstitutional. Id. The general rule is that legislation is presumed to be valid and will be sustained if the classification drawn by the statute is rationally related to a legitimate state interest. City of Cleburne v. Cleburne Living Center, 473 U.S. 432, 440, 105 S.Ct. 3249, 3254, 87 L.Ed.2d 313, 320 (1985). However, Robert argues that this statute should be analyzed under the heightened substantial relationship standard used by this court in State ex rel. Wieber v. Hennings, 311 N.W.2d 41, 42 (S.D.1981), because it discriminates based on parentage of the child. In Wieber, this court followed the United States Supreme Court's application of the substantial relationship standard for legislative classifications based on legitimacy. In this case legitimacy is not an issue, therefore Robert's position is incorrect. No quasi-suspect classification or fundamental right has been implicated in this case, thus, a rational basis analysis will be applied to this support statute. Under the rational basis standard, the court accords great deference to the constitutionality of a statute even if imperfect results are achieved. Feltman v. Feltman, 434 N.W.2d 590, 592 (S.D.1989). Under the rational basis test, South Dakota uses a two-pronged analysis when determining whether a statute violates the constitutional right to equal protection under the laws. Lyons v. Lederle Laboratories, 440 N.W.2d 769, 771 (S.D.1989). First, does the statute set up arbitrary classifications among various persons subject to it and, second, whether there is a rational relationship between the classification and some legitimate legislative purpose. Id. When applying the first prong of the Lyons test, it is clear that SDCL 25-7-27 does not make an arbitrary classification. Rather, it is the moral as well as the legal duty in this state, of every child, whether minor or adult, to assist in the support of their indigent aged parents. Tobin v. Bruce, 39 S.D. 64, 67, 162 N.W. 933, 934 (1917) (citing Section 118, Civil Code; McCook County v. Kammoss, 7 S.D. 558, 64 N.W. 1123 (1895)). An adult child is liable under SDCL 25-7-27 upon the same principle that a parent is liable for necessary support furnished to their child. Kammoss, 7 S.D. 558, 64 N.W. 1123. Much like the plaintiffs in Swoap v. Superior Court of Sacramento County, Robert argues that the only support obligations which are rational are those arising out of a relationship voluntarily entered into. 10 Cal.3d 490, 111 Cal.Rptr. 136, 516 P.2d 840, 851 (1973). For instance, the obligation to support a child or spouse is at least initially voluntary, therefore, it is rationally based. Robert argues that, since children do not voluntarily enter into the relationship with their parents, it is arbitrary to force this obligation upon them. Id. The fact that a child has no choice in the creation of a relationship with its parents does not per se make this an arbitrary classification. The fact that an indigent parent has supported and cared for a child during that child's minority provides an adequate basis for imposing a duty on the child to support that parent. Id. Robert also claims that this classification is unconstitutional because it is based on wealth. However, economic-based discrimination has been upheld by this court. Feltman, 434 N.W.2d 590; Matter of Clark, 340 N.W.2d 189 (S.D.1983). Justice Henderson wrote in Matter of Clark, Any [statute] adopted by South Dakota must be upheld as long as it is rationally based and free from invidious discrimination. South Dakota ... might not have adopted a perfect classification through its [statute]. This does not make the state [statute] invalid, for the regulation need not result in mathematical precision, and may well have some inequality without offending the Constitution. Simply because there is another method to attack a problem does not mean that the state's method was wrong. Id. at 192 (citations omitted). It is certainly reasonable to place a duty to support an indigent parent on that parent's adult child because they are direct lineal descendants who have received the support, care, comfort and guidance of that parent during their minority. If a parent does not qualify for public assistance, who is best suited to meet that parent's needs? It can reasonably be concluded that no other person has received a greater benefit from a parent than that parent's child and it logically follows that the adult child should bear the burden of reciprocating on that benefit in the event a parent needs support in their later years. Swoap, 516 P.2d at 851. Consequently, this statute does not establish an arbitrary classification. The second prong of the test requires a rational relationship between this classification and some legitimate state interest. Clearly, this state has a legitimate interest in providing for the welfare and care of elderly citizens. SDCL 25-7-27 prevents a parent from being thrown out on the street when in need of specialized care. Placing this obligation for support on an adult child is as legitimate as those interests recognized by this court in the past when applying the rational basis test. We have found legitimate state interests to exist under constitutional challenges in the support of children, Feltman, 434 N.W.2d 590; balancing the treatment of debtors and creditors, Accounts Management, Inc., 484 N.W.2d 297; education, Birchfield v. Birchfield, 417 N.W.2d 891 (S.D.1988); public safety, Swanson v. Dept. of Commerce & Regulation, 417 N.W.2d 385 (S.D.1987); preventing the adjudication of stale claims, Janish v. Murtha 285 N.W.2d 708 (S.D.1979); and protecting the citizens from drunk drivers, State v. Heinrich, 449 N.W.2d 25 (S.D.1989). The primary purpose of this statute is to place financial responsibility for indigent parents on their adult children when a parent requires such assistance. Although the legislature repealed similar laws in the past, [5] SDCL 25-7-27 has survived. Therefore, SDCL 25-7-27 serves a legitimate legislative interest, especially under the facts of this case, where indigency was voluntarily created by the trust and there would have been sufficient assets to pay for the parent's care had the trust not been created. Robert has not been denied his right to equal protection under the law.