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Social Work: Public Policy  Tags: social_work public_policy social_welfare  

A guide to finding current public policy, policy analysis and background information for policy makers.
Last update: Oct 22nd, 2009 URL: http://libguides.bc.edu/swlpolicy  Print Guide  RSS Updates

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Finding Regulations

What's a regulation?

Legislatures often pass laws which require active enforcement. Agencies such as DHHS are given the power to create regulations to carry out the goal of the law. Federal regulations are compiled in the Code of Federal Regulations. Each state also has its own compilation of regulations.

Federal Regulations

LexisNexis Academic (BC Community Only)
In LexisNexis Academic click on the "Legal" tab. In the left column of the screen click the link to Federal and State Codes. From the drop down menu select "Code of Federal Regulations".

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
This link goes directly to the official government website for The Code of Federal Regulations. The CFR is the codification of the rules published by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government. It is divided into 50 titles that represent broad areas subject to Federal regulation.
Public Health, for instance, is Title 42.

Massachusetts Regulations

Code of Massachusetts Regulations
Not all sections are available on the web; some are available here.



 
 

Laws/Statutes

What's a statute?

Laws are passed by legislative bodies and are often referred to as statutes. The federal laws, as well as state laws, are compiled by subject into codes.

LexisNexis Academic (BC Community Only)

To find a federal or state law in LexisNexis Academic click on the "Legal" tab. In the left column of the screen is a link to Federal and State Codes. You can search by keywords or search for specific laws by name or citation. Search strategies here can be quite specific, so make use of the tutorials and help on the page, or ask a librarian for help.

LexisNexis State Capitol (BC Community Only)

Track the progress and history of current legislation, statutes, and bills. It also allows you to search for news articles on issues that impact individual states.

 

 

Federal and State Cases

What's a case?

For legal research "case" usually means the written decision/opinion of a judge or group of judges. These written decisions serve as authority or 'precedent', which is often binding and always important to subsequent decisions. The courts whose decisions are published are almost always appellate courts, not trial courts.

Many lower court decisions will not be available either in print or on the web; the record will only be available at the courthouse.
Use LexisNexis Academic (BC Community Only)

to find Federal or state cases by keyword, or by citation or names of the parties if you know them. Select the "Legal" tab. Click on the "Federal and State Cases" link in the left column and then enter your search terms in the appropriate boxes.

Coose the appropriate courts from the drop-down menu.

Tip: Whenever possible, use the citation (i.e. 19 F Supp. 2d 104) rather than the party names to get a case.

 

Subject Guide

Profile ImageJane Morris


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Social Work Library
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Subjects:
Social work, Public policy

 
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