Course Catalog
Public Health Law Clinic (6)
Students will look at the impact of public health on the development of constitutional and tort jurisprudence and the interplay of federal, state and local public health agencies and the impact of preemption and other limitations on the development of public health laws. We will examine specific issues in public health, such as the tension between the privacy of health information and the need for public health surveillance; the use and possible abuse of tax power and litigation to achieve public health goals; and the different levels of public health policy from public health education, to voluntary participation/reporting to mandatory reporting and quarantine.
Students will learn about the intersection of public health and the law at the national, state and local level, examining the process by which a public health issue becomes the subject of legislation or regulation. Students will read and engage in discussion about how to determine the proper or effective path to secure public health policy. We will engage in discussions of social justice within the public health realm and identify particular policy options to decrease inequality and enhance justice in public health practice.
Students will assist the Network for Public Health Law—Eastern Region in providing technical legal assistance to public health practitioners and their counsel as well as legislators and advocates at the national, state and local level. Assistance will be provided on a broad range of public health issues but with a particular focus on environmental health, injury prevention and food safety. Students will also provide similar assistance on tobacco-related issues to Maryland state and local public health officials, legislators and advocates through the Center for Tobacco Regulation.
Technical legal assistance may be in the form of brief telephone or e-mail communication after quick research or may consist of significant legal research, consulting with experts, and preparing substantial written documents. Students may produce fact sheets, draft legislation and supporting materials, create toolkits, or draft amicus curiae briefs.
Students who enroll in this course are required to attend the Clinic Orientation session held before the start of the semester.
Current & Previous Instructors:
Kathleen Hoke;
| 534D (CRN: 22373) Credits: 6 Hoke. Spring, 2013 (Day). Mon: 9:50-11:50 Room 405. Booklist. | 534D (CRN: 96356) Credits: 6 Hoke. Fall, 2013 (Day). Mon: 9:50-11:50 Room 473. 0 openings. (Limit 10). Faculty permission required to add or drop. | 534D (CRN: ) Credits: 6 Hoke. Spring, 2014 (Day). Mon: 9:50-11:50 Room 473. |
Key to Codes in Course Descriptions
P: PrerequisiteC: Prerequisite or Concurrent Requirement
R: Recommended Prior or Concurrent Course
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