© 2024 Kansas Public Radio

91.5 FM | KANU | Lawrence, Topeka, Kansas City
96.1 FM | K241AR | Lawrence (KPR2)
89.7 FM | KANH | Emporia
99.5 FM | K258BT | Manhattan
97.9 FM | K250AY | Manhattan (KPR2)
91.3 FM | KANV | Junction City, Olsburg
89.9 FM | K210CR | Atchison
90.3 FM | KANQ | Chanute

See the Coverage Map for more details

FCC On-line Public Inspection Files Sites:
KANU, KANH, KANV, KANQ

Questions about KPR's Public Inspection Files?
Contact General Manager Feloniz Lovato-Winston at fwinston@ku.edu
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

KDHE Issues Birth Certificates to Same-Sex Kansas Couples

kdhe_1.jpg
kdhe_1.jpg

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has agreed to issue birth certificates for two same-sex couples. In both cases, the women had children through artificial insemination. Kansas law says a married couple can both be listed on the birth certificate for a child born through artificial insemination, but KDHE initially declined to list two women as the parents.

Attorney David Brown represents a Lawrence couple in a lawsuit over the issue.

“It’s unfortunate they had to go through a legal battle to get the state to do what, realistically, they should have done in the first place. My clients are happy that both of their names are going to be on their child’s birth certificate,” says Brown.

 

KDHE spokesperson Sara Belfry says they issued the certificates after reviewing applicable laws and court orders. She says they will issue birth certificates in the future to same-sex couples.

“Based on the cases that we are looking at currently, in these types of situations we will continue to issue birth certificates,” says Belfry.

Stephen Koranda is KPR's Statehouse reporter.