Citing legal materials correctly is crucial for clarity and accuracy in legal writing. In the realm of academic and professional legal writing, the American Psychological Association (APA) citation style is widely used. Understanding how to cite legislation is an essential skill for legal researchers, students, and professionals. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to cite legislation using the APA style, focusing on key elements, variations, and common challenges in citation.
1. Introduction to APA Citation for Legislation
APA style is a widely accepted format used across many disciplines, including the social sciences, law, and public policy. The format provides clear guidelines for citing various types of sources, including legislation, court cases, books, articles, and other materials. However, citing legislation under APA can be a bit tricky, as the format differs significantly from the citation of other sources, such as books and journal articles.
When citing legislation, it’s important to ensure that the citation is both clear and specific, as legal texts often contain dense language and can span multiple sections, amendments, or regulations. APA style requires citations to provide sufficient information for readers to locate the source, while maintaining consistency with the overall style guidelines. This article will guide you through the steps of citing U.S. federal and state legislation, including statutes, bills, and regulations, in APA format.
2. General Format for Citing Legislation in APA
In APA, citing legislation involves providing the title of the law, the public law number, the statute number, and the year of enactment or the most recent amendment. The citation can vary depending on whether you’re citing federal or state legislation, and whether you’re referring to a specific section or the entire law. Below are the general guidelines for citing both federal and state legislation.
Federal Legislation Citation Format
The standard format for citing a U.S. federal law is as follows:
Name of Act, Volume Source § Section Number (Year).
For example:
- Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 241 (1964).
- Affordable Care Act, Pub. L. No. 111-148, 124 Stat. 119 (2010).
The main elements include:
- Name of the Act: The full title of the legislation as it appears in the text.
- Volume Source: The source where the law is published, usually a statute volume, such as “78 Stat.” or the Public Law number (Pub. L. No.).
- Section Number: The section of the law being referenced (if applicable). This is optional if you are citing the entire Act.
- Year: The year the law was enacted or amended.
If you’re citing a specific section of a law, you can include the section number after the title. For example:
Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 (1990).
State Legislation Citation Format
The format for citing state legislation in APA is similar to that for federal legislation but may vary slightly depending on the state’s own citation style.
Name of Act, Volume Source § Section Number (Year).
For example:
- California Environmental Quality Act, Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 21000 (1970).
- New York Civil Rights Law, N.Y. Civ. Rights Law § 40 (1964).
- The citation elements are largely the same, with the key difference being the inclusion of the state-specific code and
- citation format. Some state legislations may require additional details such as the publisher or citation to specific volumes.
3. Citing Public Laws and Bills
Sometimes, it is necessary to cite bills or public laws that have been enacted but are not yet included in a statute book or have a public law number. Here’s how to handle these cases:
Citing a Bill
When citing a bill, include the bill number, the chamber it originated from (if applicable), and the year it was introduced. For example:
- H.R. 3590, 111th Congress (2009).
- This refers to a bill introduced in the House of Representatives during the 111th Congress in 2009. If the bill has been
- enacted into law, you should cite it according to the previously mentioned format for public laws.
Citing a Public Law
When citing a public law, include the name of the act, the public law number, the statute number, and the year. For example:
Affordable Care Act, Pub. L. No. 111-148, 124 Stat. 119 (2010).
Here, “Pub. L. No.” refers to the public law number, and the statute number follows the public law number.
4. Citing Legislative History in APA
Sometimes, you may need to cite legislative history, which includes materials like hearings, reports, or debates that provide context for the legislation. To cite legislative history documents, follow these guidelines:
Congressional Reports: Include the name of the report, the Congressional number, the session, and the year.
Example:
H.R. Rep. No. 101-57, 101st Cong., 1st Sess. (1989).
Congressional Hearings: Cite the title of the hearing, the Congressional session, and the year of the hearing.
Example:
U.S. Congress, House, Committee on Energy and Commerce. (2009).
Healthcare reform: An overview of current issues.
Congressional Debates: When citing debates, include the name of the Congressional Record, the volume, the page, and the date. Example:
Cong. Rec. H7890 (2009).
Example of Citing Legislative History
S. Rep. No. 101-545, 101st Cong., 2d Sess. (1990).
This citation refers to a Senate Report from the 101st Congress, second session, published in 1990.
5. Citing Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
Legislation sometimes results in regulations issued by a federal agency, which are then published in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Citing these regulations follows a slightly different format:
Title Number C.F.R. § Section Number (Year).
42 C.F.R. § 433.20 (2011).
Here, “42” refers to the title number of the CFR, and “433.20” refers to the specific section of the regulation.
If you are citing a federal regulation that has been amended, include the year of the most recent amendment. For example:
45 C.F.R. § 160.103 (2020).
6. In-Text Citations for Legislation
In-text citations in APA for legislation are simple and consistent. Include the name of the Act and the year of enactment. For example:
According to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (1964), …
As defined by the Affordable Care Act (2010), …
If citing a specific section of the law, include the section number as well:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) requires that …
The California Environmental Quality Act (1970) mandates that …
7. Special Considerations and Common Challenges
While the basics of citing legislation are straightforward, there are a few nuances and challenges that often arise. Here are some common considerations:
Citing Multiple Versions of the Same Law
Some laws are amended or updated frequently, and different versions of the same law may be cited in various contexts. It’s essential to cite the most current version, unless you are specifically referencing an older amendment or version.
Example: If referencing an amendment made in 2015 to the Affordable Care Act, cite that version specifically.
Citing International Legislation
International legislation, such as treaties or conventions, may also require APA citations. These citations vary depending on the international body involved (e.g., the United Nations, European Union). Here’s a basic format:
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1577 U.N.T.S. 3 (1989).
Citing Local or Municipal Legislation
Local laws or ordinances may be cited similarly to state or federal laws, but the name of the jurisdiction (city, county, etc.) is often included:
- San Francisco Ordinance No. 112-2020, San Francisco, California (2020).
- This format specifies that the legislation comes from a local jurisdiction.
Conclusion
Citing legislation in APA format is essential for ensuring accuracy and clarity in legal writing. Whether citing federal or state legislation, public laws, bills, or regulations, understanding the correct structure and format is crucial for presenting a precise legal argument. By following the guidelines provided in this article, you can ensure that your citations are clear, consistent, and in compliance with APA standards.
While the basics of citation are straightforward, complexities such as citing legislative history, international legislation, or amendments require careful attention to detail. By using proper citation formats, you not only ensure the credibility of your work but also help your readers locate the sources you are referencing with ease. Legal citation is an integral part of professional and academic legal writing, and mastering it is key to producing authoritative and reliable legal documents.
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