The process for conducting multi-state research can vary widely depending on what specifically you are trying to research. While this research guide provides a number of tools that can help you research a single issue or topic across states -- or that collect together a specific type of information on all states -- there will not always be a pre-existing tool or collection for every topic of research. Often the best available option when attempting to research a topic across many or all states or jurisdictions is to conduct the research for each individually (e.g. using the resources on this guide and/or our individual state research guides). Keyword searching large databases across multiple jurisdictions can be ineffective, as, for example, different terminology is often used for similar topics in different jurisdictions (e.g. "driving under the influence" versus "driving while intoxicated"); generally, going state-by-state using research guides, topical indices (e.g. to statutes), and secondary sources is more effective.
For "ten tips for conducting effective multi-state survey research," see Conducting 50-State Survey Research: Lessons Learned Through Criminal Justice Research (2020) by Janet Kearney (Fordham L. Sch.)
Fifty-state surveys track a single topic across the statutes (& sometimes regulations) of all 50 states. They usually take the form of a state-by-state table or chart containing the citations to the laws on the given topic in each state, but generally contain little or no analysis. A 50-State Survey will not be available for every/all topics, but, if there is one, it can serve as a valuable starting point when conducting multi-jurisdictional research on a topic.
Check each of the below sources to see if there is a 50-state-survey already compiled for your topic. Be sure also to identify when a compiled survey was completed and always update the information.
Web: Note that you can sometimes find multi-state surveys or multi-state issue-trackers online, such as on the websites of centers, professional associations, non-governmental organizations and private firms that focus on particular areas of the law, e.g., Plaintiff's Medical Care and Treatment—Discovery and Evidentiary Issues by the American Bar Association; Legal Innovation Regulatory Survey (2020) by the American Bar Association; 50-State Surveys by Butler Snow LLP; 50-State Surveys / Charts by the American Financial Services Association, etc. In general, to locate compiled reports by non-profit groups using Google, try searching for: site:.org "state survey" [keyword(s)].
Texts & Treatises: Nationally-scoped treatises on a topic often include state-by-state treatments that will include citations to equivalent laws in each state (e.g. they may have sections or chapters on each state, state-by-state comparison tables, or information in their appendices that describe or reference the laws in each state). Our topically-organized Treatise Finders, while not comprehensive, are a great place to begin. Beyond this, check both Lexis and Westlaw's collections for relevant national treatises, as each platform has unique titles not available in the other. Books and reports on a topic across multiple jurisdictions may also be available in our library's print or digital collection; to search for these, perform a search in the Library Catalog using the term "fifty-state," "state-by-state" or "50-state."
ALRs: American Law Reports (ALRs) track a single, narrow legal issue across all U.S. jurisdictions. While there is not one on every topic, when there is one on-point you will find that they include both substantive analysis and useful research tools (such as a Table of Laws with primary authorities from every relevant jurisdiction as well as cross-references to other secondary sources and research tools). ALRs are available on both Westlaw and Lexis.
Journals: Occasionally, a multi-jurisdictional survey may be published in law reviews. In most instances, the title of the article will contain the phrase "50 state survey" or "state survey." For more on finding articles using article indices and full-text databases, consult our Articles Research Guide. Multi-state legislative reports might also be published on SSRN, which is freely available online.
These relatively recent tools to the legal research market allow you to construct custom state law comparisons; however, so far, their usefulness can can be limited (e.g. to select pre-populated topics), and they may not be comprehensive. It is usually best to supplement them with your own research in order to address possible gaps.
Legiscan.com is a freely available resource where you can find legislation on a topic across all states, or track a particular state bill. An account is not necessary to search current legislation. To search older legislation, a free account must be created.
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Research Tools: Legislation Databases and the Bill Information Service includes a 50 state bill tracking database which contains summaries and analysis of bills on a variety of issues. NCSL Research Tools additionally provide to members a Bill Information Service to search all state, Washington D.C. and territories legislation.