Noting the philosophy behind the issue of individual privacy, the author reviews federal legislation (the 1973 Health, Education, and Welfare Report; the Privacy Act of 1974; C.H.R. 1984 designed to extend provisions of the Privacy Act to the private sector) and state legislation, concluding with suggested guidelines for future legislation. (JT)

The legal processes following a rape charge mortify, denigrate and transfer guilt to the victim. Rape laws reinforce traditional sex roles and restrict the options available to women in defining their personal and sexual careers. (Author/AM)

Explores the legal responsibilities of the reading clinic to its clients and presents 17 recommendations which clinics should follow in order to avoid future legal involvement. (JM)

Malpractice issues are often ignored when social workers use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Third Edition). Physical disorders may be overlooked, practitioners may report less severe diagnoses than are indicated because of adverse effects of labeling, or they may increase the severity of diagnoses so clients can qualify…

An editorial and condensed account of hearings and recommendations of the U.S. House of Representatives concerning "diploma mills" and mail-order degrees and credentials is given. (MSE)

Ownership issues in the results of research generally and of human tissue research specifically are explored. While acknowledging some uncertainty in the law, it is found that human tissue may be lawfully accessed for research and that use of human tissue does not modify the general allocation of interests. (MSE)

Surveyed 160 directors of college and university counseling centers to determine whether there was a consensus regarding confidentiality in terms of personal responsibilities and policies within their center. Results revealed a need for campus counseling centers to look at their policies regarding confidentiality and to keep current with legal…

Discusses a United States Supreme Court decision upholding Section 504 protection for an elementary school teacher fired due to recurrent tuberculosis. The school board may need to make reasonable accommodation for employees handicapped by contagious diseases. The Court might also interpret Section 504 as covering AIDS carriers. (MLH)

Presents questions and answers from a written interview with a researcher and practitioner of law relating to children's issues who responded to questions concerning child abuse issues for school counselors. Includes discussions of legal responsibility for reporting suspected abuse, documentation of interventions, privileged communication…

Questions the constitutional validity of employer sanctions used to deter illegal immigration under the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Points out the anomaly of using criminal penalties to deter a civil, administrative violation. (FMW)

Reviews contemporary court cases to show that free exercise claims are religious and therefore unenforceable under the Establishment Clause's "Lemon" test prohibiting religious activities in public schools. Discuses inadequacies in judicial perception involving compelling interest, a pattern of anti-theistic decisions, and lesser…

In "New Jersey v. T.L.O." (1985), the U.S. Supreme Court reduced the evidentiary standard applying to search and seizure by school officials from "probable cause" to "reasonable suspicion." However, search of students should be done only when absolutely necessary (for safety or "order" reasons), and a…

Discusses the problems posed for scientifically untrained judges and lawyers in ensuring the scientific validity of scientific evidence. Cites recent cases which indicate the results when courts do not hold expert witnesses to the standards and criteria of their own disciplines. (CW)

Due process hearings should not threaten principals who have performed their teacher evaluation duties well and can demonstrate (1) the persistent nature of the teacher's difficulties; (2) repeated warnings; (3) frequent assistance; (4) adequate time and opportunity to improve; (5) close supervision; and (6) the teacher's involvement in a normal…

Examines ethical issues in making policy decisions regarding divorce child custody disputes. Suggests dilemma occurs when legislator must decide between discretionary standard promoting best interest of child and nondiscretionary arbitrary assignment of custody. Advocates normative analysis of various types of dispute-settling processes and…