1. Identifying State and Federal Bills and Statutes Module 4, Class 2, Exercise A Teaching Module Developed by the Curriculum Task Force of the Sloan Work and Family Research Network

2. Overview of Steps Step 1: Identify topic Step 2: Create search terms
Step 3: Enter search terms
Step 4: Print out text of bills and statutes
Step 5: Summarize the output
Step 6: Prepare a summary sheet

3. Step 1: Identify a relevant work-family topic
Examples from the Sloan Work & Family Research Network are:
Telework
Afterschool Care
Family Leave
Phased Retirement
Shift Work
Generation X/Y
Flexible Work Schedules

4. Step 2: Make a list of possible search terms, including synonyms
Example:
Flexible Work Schedules =
Flexible schedules
Flextime
Flexitime
Flexible work hours
Flexible work arrangement
Alternative work schedule, etc.

5. Step 3: Enter the search terms
Using State Capitol or another software program, enter the search terms into the bill and statute searches.

6. Step 4: Print out the text of bills and statutes
Print the text of any legislation relevant to your research area
If you are conservative with your paper, highlight key sections and print those
Having a hard copy will come in handy if you need the full text as a reference in the future

7. Step 5: Summarize the output
How many states have considered bills related to your topic?
How many statutes related to your topic have been passed?
Are there any themes or trends in the bills and statutes?

8. Step 6: Prepare a summary sheet for elected officials in your state
What are the important points you would want to make?
What policy action would you recommend?
Who is your audience?
(Issues of the Policy Leadership Series prepared by the Sloan Work & Family Research Network can be used as a model.