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Social Work (UMB): How to cite LEGAL REFERENCES

This guide supports the courses taught at the Universities at Shady Grove in the Masters of Social Work (MSW) Program of the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

How to cite STATUTES (Laws and Acts)

TEMPLATE:

Name of Act, Volume Source/Congress-Public Law(Pub. L.), Section number/Statute(Stat.) Page (Year). URL

In text citation:

Parenthetical: (Name of Act, Year)
Narrative: Name of Act (Year)

EXAMPLES:

Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974

Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974, Pub. L. 93-247, 88 Stat. 4 (1974). Retrieved from: https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/STATUTE-88/STATUTE-88-Pg4

 

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Pub. L. 88-352, 78 Stat. 241 (1964). Retrieved from: https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/STATUTE-78/STATUTE-78-Pg241

 

National Research Services Award Act of 1974

National Research Services Award Act of 1974, Pub. L. 93-348, 88 Stat. 342 (1974). Retrieved from: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-88/pdf/STATUTE-88-Pg342.pdf

 

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107-110, 115 Stat. 1425 (2001). Retrieved from: https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/1/text

How to cite BILLS

Citing a Federal Bill that has been introduced in the United States Congress but not enacted into law

TEMPLATE:

Bill title, Bill number, Number of the Congress. (year). URL

EXAMPLE

Fair Housing for Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Survivors Act of 2021, H.R. 2542, 117th Congress. (2021). https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2542

Citing a State Bill that has been introduced in a state legislature but not enacted into law
Note: Varies among states due to differences in numbering systems and governmental bodies. Begins with the Bill Number (A.B. for Assembly bill, H.B. for House bill, or S.B. for Senate bill)

TEMPLATE:

Bill number, Number of legislative body, Number of the Session (ex: 2021 Reg. Sess.), (State and year). URL

How to cite CASES

TEMPLATE:

Federal Court Decisions
Name v. Name, Volume Source Page (Year). URL

In text citation:
  • Parenthetical: (Name v. Name, Year)
  • Narrative: Name v. Name (Year)

     

    EXAMPLES:

    U.S. Supreme Court
    Name v. Name, Volume U.S. Page (Year). URL

     

    U.S. Circuit Court
    Name v. Name, Volume F. [or F.2d, F3d] Page (Court Year). URL

     

    U.S. District Court
    Name v. Name, Volume F. Supp. Page (Court Year). URL