Document: 484 U.S. 174 108 S.Ct. 513 98 L.Ed.2d 512 David A. THOMPSON, Petitionerv.Susan aka Susan Clay. No. 86-964. Argued Oct. 6, 1987. Decided Jan. 12, 1988. Syllabus Under the Parental Kidnaping Prevention Act of 1980 (PKPA or Act), States are required to afford full faith and credit valid child custody determinations entered by a sister State's courts. When California state court's award joint respondent petitioner over their son became infeasible because respondent's decision move Louisiana, court granted sole pending an investigator's report, whereupon intended make more studied determination. After obtained Louisiana order enforcing decree awarding her custody, court, having received reviewed granting petitioner. Without first attempting enforce in filed suit Federal District Court seeking declaring invalid valid, enjoining enforcement decree. The dismissed complaint Appeals affirmed on ground that had failed claim upon which relief could be granted. Held: PKPA does not provide implied cause action federal determine two conflicting decisions is valid. context was enacted—the existence jurisdictional deadlocks among cases nationwide problem interstate parental kidnaping—suggests Congress' principal aim extend requirements Full Faith Credit Clause determinations, create entirely new action. language placement reinforce this conclusion, addendum to, therefore clearly have same operative effect as, statute, Act's heading "Full given determinations," and, unlike statutes explicitly confer right specified class persons, addressed Moreover, discussing congressional rejection competing legislative proposal would extended district courts' diversity jurisdiction actions, PKPA's history provides unusually clear indication Congress did intend courts play role. fact seeks infer narrower than congressionally rejected alternative controlling, since still entangled traditional state-law questions they little expertise resolve. argument failure render nugatory also persuasive, it based unacceptable presumption either unable unwilling provisions, ultimate review remains available for truly intractable deadlocks. Pp. 179-187. 798 F.2d 1547 (CA9 1986), affirmed. MARSHALL, J., delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., BRENNAN, WHITE, BLACKMUN, STEVENS, JJ., joined. O'CONNOR, concurring part judgment, post, p. ----. SCALIA, Ronald W. Weiss, Peoria, Ill., Kenneth Rigby, Shreveport, La., respondent. Justice MARSHALL Opinion Court. 1 We certiorari case whether 1980, 28 U.S.C. § 1738A, furnishes 2 * Act) imposes duty determination State if consistent with provisions Act.1 In Act, must under its own local law one five conditions set out 1738A(c)(2) met. Briefly put, these authorize enter child's home recently has been State, no best interest assume jurisdiction, present abandoned abused. Once exercises consistently other may exercise concurrent dispute, 1738A(g), even empowered take instance,2 all accord ensuing 3 As scheme suggests, as specified, chief purposes "avoid competition conflict between courts." Pub.L. 96-611, 94 Stat. 3569, 7(c)(5), note following 1738A. This arises stalemate came pass notwithstanding strictures Act. July 1978, Clay (then Thompson) petition Los Angeles Superior asking dissolve marriage Thompson couple's infant son, Matthew. initially awarded parents Matthew, but arrangement when decided from job. then providing Matthew once she left Louisiana. affairs remain until investigator submitted report after See App. 6. 4 Respondent moved December 1980. Three months later, decree, judgment modification petitioner's visitation privileges. By dated April 7, 1981, Two however, Thus arose current impasse. 5 August 1983, brought Central California. Petitioner requested attempt before he court. motion dismiss lack subject-matter personal jurisdiction. Civ. Action 83-5221 (Apr. 10, 1984). Ninth Circuit Although disagreed Court's analyses, dismissal (1986). Canvassing background, language, PKPA, held private validity decrees. Id., at 1552-1559. certiorari, 479 1063, 107 946, 93 996 (1987), we now affirm. II 6 determining our focal point intent enacting statute. guides discerning intent, relied four factors Cort v. Ash, 422 66, 78, 95 2080, 2088, 45 26 (1975), along tools statutory construction. Daily Income Fund, Inc. Fox, 464 523, 535-536, 104 831, 838, 78 645 (1984); Sierra Club, 451 287, 293, 101 1775, 1779, 68 (1981); Touche Ross & Co. Redington, 442 560, 575-576, 99 2479, 2488-2489, 61 82 (1979). Our focus mean require evidence Members Congress, actually mind creation doctrine virtual dead letter were limited correcting drafting errors simply forgot codify evident intention Rather, "the statute expressly deny remedy will typically equally silent ambiguous question." Cannon University Chicago, 441 677, 694, 1946, 1956, 60 560 recognized "intent appear implicitly structure circumstances enactment." Transamerica Mortgage Advisors, Lewis, 444 11, 18, 100 242, 246, 62 146 issue, "unless can inferred structure, some source, essential predicate implication exist." Northwest Airlines, Transport Workers, 77, 94, 1571, 1582, 67 750 (1981). case, plainly exist. None guided inquiry difficult area points favor inferring Indeed, context, sharply away urges us infer. 7 examine eye toward perception shaping reshaping. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner Smith, Curran, 456 353, 378, 102 1825, 1839, 72 182 (1982); supra, U.S., 69, S.Ct., 2084. At time passed orders peculiar status doctrine, requires each give judicial proceedings States, see Const., Art. IV, 1; 1738. anomaly traces characteristically subject interests child. consequence, doubted sufficiently "final" trigger requirements, see, e.g., Hooks Hooks, 771 935, 948 (CA6 1985); McDougald Jenson, 596 F.Supp. 680, 684-685 (ND Fla.1984), aff'd, 786 1465 (CA11), cert. denied, 860, 207, 137 (1986), declined settle question. Ford Ford, 371 187, 192, 83 273, 276, 9 240 (1962). Even obliges only force judgments accorded entered. Because entering generally retain power modify them, less entitled change terms according views interest. New York ex rel. Halvey Halvey, 330 610, 614-615, 903, 906, 91 L.Ed. 1133 (1947). For reasons, parent who lost battle incentive kidnap another relitigate issue. circumstance contributed widespread like one, importantly, national epidemic kidnaping. enacted, sponsors estimated 25,000 100,000 children kidnaped obtain legal forum. 1979: Joint Hearing S. 105 Subcommittee Criminal Judiciary Committee Child Human Development Labor Resources, 96th Cong., 2d Sess., 10 (1980) (hereinafter Hearing) (statement Sen. Malcolm Wallop). 8 A number joined effort avoid conflicts adopting Uniform Custody Jurisdiction (UCCJA), U.L.A. §§ 1-28 UCCJA prescribed uniform standards deciding obligated made proper project foundered, refused enact while others enacted modifications. absence allocating noncustodial reason snatch any haven custody. suggests inapplicability determinations. Statements introduced forcefully confirm suggestion. supporters continually indicated purpose accordance UCCJA. Acting Deputy Attorney General Michel testified: "[C]urrent many encourages issue kind 'forum shopping' possible conform changes circumstances. Consequently, not, constitutional requirement clause, bound where involves parties. 11 12 "In essence [the PKPA] impose duty, enumerated derived UCCJA, decrees States. Such legislation would, effect, amount adoption key eliminate remove minor jurisdiction." 48.3 13 significance approach snatching Clause, incarnations, rise Minnesota Northern Securities Co., 194 48, 72, 24 598, 605, 48 870 (1904); 13B C. Wright, Miller, E. Cooper, Practice Procedure 3563, 50 (1984). "only prescribes rule courts, state, question progress public acts, records, sitting." Securities, 605. most naturally construed furnish use adjudicating disputes It thus compatible 2088. 14 conclusion. alone strong proof Similarly instructive PKPA: determinations." Unlike mandate directed respect 690, n. 13, 1954, 13; 81-82, 2089-2090. agree "[i]t seems highly unlikely follow pattern section 1738 structuring 1738A command states, yet, without comment, depart practice followed 1738." F.2d, 1556. 15 Finally, role urges. passages particularly revealing. colloquy Congressmen Conyers Fish. Congressman Fish sponsor ultimately Congress—that encompass actions orders. exchange, questioned about differences his Bennett proposal," precursor PKPA. 16 "Mr. Conyers: Could I just interject, difference yours: You have, provision, parties removed bill 17 "It me very important difference. Mr. Fish, result litigating decrees; whereas, alternate method previously suggested, imposing responsibility thereby reducing, me, litigation. 18 "Do you merit leaving level, rather introducing judiciary? 19 Fish: Well, really think easier go nearest . 20 Of course know experience kinds matters, moving into area. am thinking [many areas concern and] average 21-month docket, matters might handled normally handle that. ." Kidnaping: H.R. 1290 Crime House Judiciary, (1980). 21 exchange considered resulted "Federal decrees." Ibid. 22 second noteworthy entry Assistant Patricia Wald Chairman Committee, referred extensively during debate outlined variety solutions child-snatching problem. specifically compared proposals "grant decrees" approach, such proposed "impose states states." Addendum 103. endorsed eventually codified More "strongly oppose[d] forum resolving disputes." 108. Like Conyers, Department reasoned increase workload entangle judiciary domestic relations traditionally province That prevailed, opted reliance against Cf. 82, 2090 (congressional dispositive). 23 discounts portions history. He argues asks actual decrees, substantially Congress. permit instance, created refusing do so. admittedly farther reaching reject today. But considerations prompted militate circumscribed proposes. Rogers Platt, 259 U.S.App.D.C. 154, 164, 814 683, 693 (1987). Instructing Solomon issued them resolve.4 cost want carry.5 sum, together conclusive Against impressive evidence, relies primarily nugatory. note, preliminary response, addition, unspoken prepared, indulge. faithfully administer every day; orders, why administration vigilant. Should prove obstinate predicts, choose revisit radical await further action; "will engraft matter how salutary, provide." 297, 1781, 25 so ordered. judgment. reasons expressed SCALIA Part join paragraph 27 write separately my view being faithful dicta denying necessity action, referring though analysis effectively overruled later opinions. opportunity suggest, time, revision undertake moves precisely wrong direction. 29 disagree, portion flows statement: 30 "Our action." Ante, 31 loss imagine what mean, precedents, moreover, secret meaning, contrary seem "intent" "intent." example: "[T]he remedy. Universities Research Assn., Coutu, 450 [754], 771-772 [101 1451, 1462, 662 (1981) ]; 23-24 [100 249]; Redington [442 U.S.], 575-576 [99 2488-2489]. (WHITE, J.). 32 said, sure, various indicia; worlds apart today's Delphic pronouncement need 33 find misleading statement that, "we construction." 179. accurate description done. plainer Ash (1979), converting intent) determinative factor, three merely indicative presence absence. Compare Transamerica, 23-24, 249. 34 conveys impression proceeds "context" found text examination superfluous, cannot suffice. relevant cases—both involved interpretation related prior statute's enactment, reenactment, rights (1979); (1982). Since textual support exists, there history, enactment immaterial. 35 Contrary long hospitable attitude towards years Clark's J.I. Case Borak, 377 426, 84 1555, 423 (1964), twice narrowed test implying right, itself, again supra. 730, 1974-1975 (Powell, dissenting), 301, 1783 (REHNQUIST, Burger, Stewart Powell, concurring). recent holdings repeated claims right. true heard including instant case. Ross, supra; 754, 91-94, 1580-1582, Texas Industries, Radcliff Materials, Inc., 630, 639-640, 2061, 2066-2067, 500 Middlesex County Sewerage Authority National Sea Clammers 453 1, 13-18, 2615, 2622-2625, 69 435 Massachusetts Mut. Life Ins. Russell, 473 134, 145-148, 3085, 3092-3094, 87 96 (1985). Cannon, exaggerates difficulty establishing surmises "[t]he rests erroneous premise never implies anything except forgets say expressly. true, evolved repudiation much stringent suggest. 36 provocative response changed, should opposite direction—away categorical position implied. 37 POWELL observed dissent supra 730-731, 1975; 38 "Under III, lower Legislative Branch, causes adopts. countless demonstrate, Titles Civil Rights 1964, recognizes function frequently it. chooses civil remedy, creating enlarge (Footnote omitted.) 39 is, beyond imagination particular implication. One wonder, good produced accommodates remote possibility outweighed adverse effects. An realistically regarded product lawmaking process Constitution prescribed. reports, floor speeches, colloquies Congressmen, ante, 184—185, frail substitutes bicameral vote presentment President. INS Chadha, 462 919, 103 2764, 77 317 (1983). dangerous necessary participants law-enactment acting unexpressed assumptions. And likewise utmost self-discipline, judges prevent implications mirroring policies favor. 40 suppose greater lesser degree, derive assuredly numerous stars. likelihood leave decreases, justification bearing risk distorting process. act significant, separable remainder implausibly endured. 41 If announce flat hereafter occasionally frustrate genuine decrease level minimal virtually zero. frustration "would letter[,] believe, welcome certainty produce. Surely conscientious legislators relish situation, nonexistence depends opposing forces guessed contain. 42 made, get business altogether. Section reads part: "(a) appropriate authorities shall terms, provided subsection (f) section, State. "(c) if— "(1) state; "(2) met: "(A) (i) date commencement proceeding, (ii) within six proceeding absent removal retention contestant continues live State; "(B)(i) appears subparagraph (A), (I) parents, least contestant, significant connection mere physical (II) substantial concerning future care, protection, training, relationships; "(C) physically abandoned, emergency protect subjected threatened mistreatment abuse; "(D)(i) (B), (C), (E), whose child, jurisdiction; "(E) continuing pursuant (d) section. "(d) (c)(1) met residence contestant. "(f) determination; longer "(g) commenced pendency exercising determination." exception constraint occurs 1738A(f). Michel's remarks echoed See, 40-41 Durenberger); id., Wallop); 104-105 (letter Rep. Peter Rodino). resolve merits offend longstanding tradition reserving contends champions analyze exclusive task well qualified. making involve substantive turn "best interest" 1738A(c)(2)(B), (D). fact, complicated provoked state-court likely resolution inquiries. 162, 691 84, 2090-2091, (1975) (possibility certain instances issues counsels action.) serves underscore extraordinary nature essentially appellate judgments. unusual grant, Petitioner's remarkable enjoin intermediate highest

Category: 8