Researching Uniform and Model Laws

This lesson will explain uniform laws and model codes. It provides an overview of how uniform laws and model codes are created and shows researchers how to locate uniform laws and model codes, drafters' commentary, state versions of uniform laws and model codes, and cases interpreting them.

Before beginning this lesson, you should have a basic understanding of state statutes and how they are created. For a review of state statutes, see the CALI Lesson "Introduction to State and Federal Statutes."

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the lesson, the student will be able to:

1. Explain what uniform and model laws are.
2. Explain how and by whom they are drafted.
3. Locate drafts of these laws and other useful research sources.
4. Cite uniform and model laws.