Legal Resource Center for Public Health Policy

Our Mission

The Legal Resource Center for Public Health Policy (LRC) at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law provides pro bono technical legal assistance on a wide-range of public health issues, including tobacco regulation, injury prevention, and reduction of obesity and hypertension. Established in 2001, the LRC offers legal guidance to state and local governments, legislators, non-governmental organizations, health advocacy groups, and Maryland residents. The LRC is a grant-funded legal center that receives support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. In addition, the LRC works closely with state agencies such as the Office of the Comptroller and the Office of the Attorney General, as well as members of the Maryland General Assembly.

What We Offer

The LRC conducted a needs assessment of 24 local health departments in Maryland, and uses this information to provide targeted legal resources and assistance throughout the State. Some of the resources provided include 50-state surveys, issue briefs, fact sheets, and research memoranda. Our staff is also happy to discuss avenues for policy change in the areas stated in our mission, though we are not permitted to lobby or provide legal advice or representation. The LRC remains current on state and national public health issues through its charter membership in the Tobacco Control Legal Consortium and the Institute for Healthiest Maryland, based at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

Common LRC projects include:

• Drafting and reviewing model laws and policies for state, local and national public health stakeholders
• Providing legal guidance on public health issues including tobacco regulation, injury prevention and reduction of obesity and hypertension
• Researching, evaluating and clearly explaining complex public health issues in easy-to-understand terms
• Assisting local health departments and governments in Maryland develop and implement ordinances and policies that promote public health
• Advising individuals or groups about their rights with respect to secondhand smoke in the workplace or in an apartment or condominium setting.
• Presenting and providing educational materials on a wide-range of legal issues related to public health

Contact Us

For technical legal assistance or additional information on our services, please contact the Legal Resource Center for Public Health Policy at 410-706-0842 or publichealth@law.umaryland.edu.

Legal Resource Center for Public Health Policy
University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
500 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201