How to cite a session law

Bluebook (22d ed.) citation format, B12.1.2 / R12.4.

Bluebook (22d ed.) citation format for a session law, governed by B12.1.2 / R12.4. Worked example, required elements, and the rules that apply.

An act as passed, before or instead of codification.

Example

Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, Pub. L. No. 87-195, 75 Stat. 424.

Governing rules

B12.1.2 / R12.4

• 12 — statutes.
• 12.4 — session laws.
• 12.4(a) — name & public law/chapter number.
• 12.4(b) — volume & session-law abbreviation.
• 12.4(c) — pages and sections.

Required elements

• Act name
• Volume
• Session laws — R12.4: “Stat.” federally; state session laws per T1.3.
• First page

Optional elements

• Public Law number
• Chapter number (pre-1957)
• Act number (state)
• Section of the act
• Pincite
• Section cited
• Subsection within that section
• Year
• Publisher
• Codification parenthetical — R12.4(e): where the act is now codified.
• Explanatory parenthetical

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