Dome:
Law, Legislation & Policy

Housed at Boston University School of Law, Dome is a valuable resource for news, analysis, and opinion on legislation and public policy. Dome is staffed by students of BU Law’s various legislation clinics. Dome features work contributed by staff members, scholars, practitioners, and law students interested in legislation and public policy.

Decriminalize Everything? Oregon’s New Drug Laws

By Alexander Gatter
February 25th, 2022 in Analysis, Criminal Law, Health Law, State Legislation.

In November 2020, Oregon voters overwhelmingly decided to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of almost all hard drugs. Measure 110 went into effect on February 1, 2021. The legislation took a groundbreaking, albeit controversial step by reclassifying the possession of hard drugs. Offenses that were formally criminal misdemeanors, subjecting... More

Emergency Opportunity: Legislating Away Roe v. Wade During the Coronavirus Pandemic

By Julia Novick
February 24th, 2022 in Administrative Law, Analysis, Health Law, Legislation in Court, State Legislation.

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted American life, challenging mental health, physical health and the economic infrastructure of the country. Though a pandemic inherently creates adversity, one struggle that we may not have anticipated to escalate so dramatically during this time is the fight for reproductive rights. Just before the pandemic, More

U.S. Citizenship and Justice for American Samoa

By James Hallisey
February 24th, 2022 in Analysis, Federal Legislation, International Law.

On March 16, 2021, Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, a non-voting congressional delegate for American Samoa, introduced House Resolution 1941 - To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to waive certain naturalization requirements for United States nationals, and for other purposes. This bill would allow eligible U.S. Nationals in Outlying Possessions... More

Time To Bring Back Happy Hour To Massachusetts?

By Ryan Platt
February 24th, 2022 in State Legislation.

This session the Massachusetts Legislature considered “An Act restoring happy hour to the commonwealth" SB.169 at the request of a group of Boston College Law School students. The bill would allow restaurants and bars to discount alcoholic beverages during specified times if drink prices are not changed during the happy hour;... More

Time To Bring Back Happy Hour To Massachusetts?

By Dane White
February 24th, 2022 in State Legislation.

This session the Massachusetts Legislature considered “An Act restoring happy hour to the commonwealth" SB.169 at the request of a group of Boston College Law School students. The bill would allow restaurants and bars to discount alcoholic beverages during specified times if drink prices are not changed during the happy hour;... More