The Evolution of Mental Health Law

Scholars of psychiatry and law trace changes in US laws to regulate the activities of psychiatric hospitals and facilities for people with mental retardation, and to protect the interests of people with mental disabilities since the first were passed in the late 1960s and 1970s. The 15 studies are from an October 1997 conference at the University of Virginia called to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Institute of Law, Psychiatry, and Public Policy. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)