Changing the Clocks: The Legal Story Behind Daylight Saving Time
This past Sunday, almost all Americans took part in the familiar ritual of changing the time on their clocks. Every year, we “spring ahead” in the spring (though it often still feels like winter) and “fall back” in the fall.
While the extra hour of sleep in the fall can feel like a small gift, the transition isn’t always easy. The earlier sunsets can make evenings feel shorter and darker, often leaving people feeling more tired or out of sync as daylight fades sooner. Each year, as we adjust to the change, many find themselves wondering why we continue to shift between standard time and daylight time. As with many things, there’s a law behind the entire process.
Daylight Saving Time (DST) was first introduced in the United States in 1918. The system has undergone multiple adjustments since then, with the most significant federal framework established under the Uniform Time Act of 1966, Public 89-387. Over the decades, Congress has amended the policy several times — primarily to modify the start and end dates of DST — culminating in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 109-58 which set the current schedule. The United States Code currently outlines time in Title 15 §§ 260-67.
Oversight of Daylight Saving Time and the nation’s time zones falls under the U.S. Department of Transportation. Today, every state except Hawaii and most of Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Nation) observes DST. The U.S. territories — American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands — also do not participate. Under federal law, states may choose to opt out of observing Daylight Saving Time through legislative action. However, they cannot choose to remain on daylight saving time permanently without an act of Congress.
Over the past seven years, 19 states have passed legislation supporting year-round Daylight Saving Time, contingent on federal approval — and, in some cases, similar action by neighboring states. However, because current federal law prohibits permanent DST, Congress must act before any state can officially make the change.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, in 2025, at least 30 states considered or are considering DST legislation. For more information on Daylight Savings Time, check out the 2020 report from Congressional Research Service, which also provides an overview of several studies examining the effects of Daylight Saving Time on safety, energy consumption, and public health.
Haunting the Stacks: Legal Research with a Halloween Twist
As Halloween approaches, it’s not just ghosts and goblins that come out to play — the spirit of curiosity and legal research awakens as well. While many are preparing for trick-or-treating and costume parties, legal professionals can embrace the season by refreshing their research skills and exploring the intersections of law and Halloween.
For those looking to dig into spooky scholarship, HeinOnline offers a Halloween-themed blog post, Behind the Bindings: Tricks and Treats in the Law Journal Library, which uncovers research tips sure to summon fascinating (and perhaps ghostly) findings. HeinOnline also conjured up 5 creepy court cases that will make your skin crawl.
Additionally, Cleveland State University Law’s Top Ten Spookiest Law Review Articles provides a curated selection of works that explore the more haunting aspects of legal scholarship — a perfect read for the brave at heart.
For a lighter take on the season, Tanya Johnson’s popular blog post, Happy Halloween! Legal-Themed Costumes for You and Your Pet, offers creative ideas that blend law and Halloween spirit in fun, imaginative ways.
May this Halloween season inspire both curiosity and scholarly exploration.
Happy Halloween!
Congo Week 2025: Cost of Power, Blood Cobalt & Corporate Responsibility
“Censorship Is So 1984”: A Legal Stand for the Freedom to Read
Banned Books Week 2025 features the theme “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.” The American Library Association explains that the phrase invokes the dystopian warnings of George Orwell’s 1984 to underscore how censorship remains a real and present threat — not some relic of a past era.
At UConn Law Library, we’re highlighting the legal and societal implications of that debate. From law to literature, from historical court battles to contemporary challenges, our curated Banned Books & the Law display (right by the entrance) will feature titles that have sparked censorship efforts.
We also encourage you to check out our accompanying Banned Books Research Guide, which links to key resources such as cases and legislation and advocacy organizations.
When a title is challenged — the question isn’t only “What do we read?” but “Who decides?” Our display and guide aim to help students, faculty, and patrons grapple with that very question. This Banned Books Week, join us in resisting censorship, exploring the legal stakes behind challenged works, and reaffirming that the freedom to read is central to the rule of law — not a footnote to it.
Supporting Student Well-Being: Law Student Mental Health Day at UConn Law
Fall in Connecticut brings crisp air, colorful leaves, and plenty of cider donuts—but for law students, it can also bring a heavier workload and looming deadlines. The American Bar Association designates October 10th as Law Student Mental Health Day aligning with World Mental Health Day, recognized by the World Health Organization.
Here at UConn Law we’re celebrating a little early with events on Tuesday, October 8—and you’re invited!
Featured Programs – October 8
- Breakfast Break (9:30-11 am, Library Patio): Hungry? There's a firm sponsored breakfast break in partnership with CCD on Wednesday 10/8 hosted by Pullman & Comley LLC . Representatives will be there to share coffee, snacks, information, and even a little swag. So please stop by, grab a cup of coffee, and introduce yourself!
- Student Affairs & Mental Health Committee Tabling (12:30–1:45 pm, Library Patio): Stop by for treats, giveaways, and information about mental health resources in law school and beyond.
- Yoga on the Quad (12:45–1:30 p.m., Hosmer Quad)
Take a mindful break with a 45-minute yoga flow led by Christina Cruz ’24, certified yoga instructor and UConn Law alum. All levels are welcome. (Bring a mat if you have one, though it’s not required.) All levels are welcome—this is about moving, breathing, and taking a break. - Law Library Display: Visit the library to explore resources on lawyer well-being and mindfulness. You can also dive deeper into these topics through the Student Wellness Research Guide.
Year-Round Resources
Your well-being matters every day, not just on October 10. UConn Law and the Office of Student Affairs provide ongoing support, including:
- UConn Law offers various resources to help you recognize mental health concerns as well as resources available to help you focus on your well-being. The UConn Law Office of Student Affairs staff is located in One Stop on the second floor of the library.
- On-campus Mental Health Counselor, Corrine, offers one on one counseling. Please email her at corrine.ochsner@uconn.edu to set up a time to meet! More info available through the UConn Law Student Portal.
- BeWell - offers free and confidential mental health support 24/7/365 by calling (833) 308- 3040 (for the US, Canada and the Caribbean). For all other locations please call +1-984-268-2016. This service offers immediate in-the-moment support with a counselor, regardless of your location, to help you manage your concerns.
- Togetherall -completely anonymous online peer-to-peer mental health support community available free to UConn students 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Togetherall provides access to an online community and a wealth of useful resources, including self-help courses covering topics such as anxiety, sleep, depression and more. Register with your UConn email at: https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/student
No More Cousin ‘I Do’s’, 100+ mph = big fines, and Sunday hunting begins. New CT laws drop Oct. 1.
Dozens of new Connecticut laws are set to take effect October 1, 2025, covering everything from hunting rules to towing regulations. Here are some highlights students, researchers, and curious citizens may want to know about:
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Sunday Hunting on Private Land – With landowner permission, hunters and trappers can now head out on Sundays. Migratory birds remain off-limits.
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No More First-Cousin Marriages – Connecticut joins states like Tennessee in prohibiting marriages between first cousins. Of note, Marrying your first cousin is still legal in 15 states, including neighboring states New York and Rhode Island.
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Limits on Juvenile Handcuffing – Police will face stricter rules when restraining children under 14, except in situations involving threats of violence.
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Stricter Reckless Driving Penalties – A new offense targets drivers caught going over 100 mph, with higher fines and possible jail time.
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Towing Reform – Tow companies must provide notice, accept credit cards, and allow access to belongings before selling vehicles. The law change stems in part from an investigation by ProPublica and the Connecticut Mirror. Reporters found that Connecticut’s 100 year old law allowed one of the fastest timelines in the country for towing companies to sell a person’s car and clear out its contents. The investigation also revealed that the practice disproportionately harmed people with low incomes, who often lacked the resources to reclaim their vehicles in time.
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Lottery Winner Privacy – Won the lottery? Lucky lottery winners can now keep their names off the CT Lottery website.
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Pistol Permit Delegation – Small towns can delegate permit duties to state troopers, easing the burden on local officials.
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Drone Restrictions – The state is barred from buying drones manufactured by certain foreign entities and from weaponizing drones.
Want to dig deeper?
Explore how these laws took shape with the help our our Connecticut Legislative History Research Guide!
A Century of Legal Research—On Display in the Library!
As the law library’s centennial in 2026 draws near, we’re taking time to reflect on a century of legal research—what has evolved and what has remained constant. From the early days of commercial legal publishing in the United States, publishers have continually promised new ways to make research faster, more comprehensive, and more efficient.
If you were a student at the Hartford College of Law in the 1920s, you would be learning legal research using books familiar to today’s law students: American Jurisprudence, Shepard’s, and A.L.R. Although these are now accessed primarily in electronic format, they remain relevant and useful resources for legal researchers.
The amount of legal information grew exponentially throughout the twentieth century, as legal publishers responded to the increasing complexity of the law with new treatises, looseleafs, and practice materials. Libraries had to confront the inevitable problem of lack of space, and turned to new technologies, including microform, CD-ROMs, and dedicated terminals for Westlaw and Lexis.
Electronic access to legal information has been the default for more than twenty years, and we are beginning to move into artificial intelligence as a tool for legal research. These technologies are built upon the structure of books that have been published for over 100 years, and their creators are making the same promises of efficiency and speed.
Visit the display near the main entrance of the library to see how legal research books, tools, and technologies have changed over the past 100 years.
If you have questions or need help navigating the guide, contact the Law Library’s reference staff. We’re here to help!
Welcome Alumni! Special Reunion Exhibit on 9/13!
Welcome back alumni! Join us in celebrating 2025 UConn Law Reunion Weekend on Saturday, September 13, with a special exhibit: "Memories - From the Law School Archives." Explore rare photos, documents and milestones that shaped UConn Law through the years.
Check Out Our Exhibits!
This Reunion Weekend, the Law Library is opening its doors not just as a study space, but as a place of memory and connection. Alumni, students, and friends are invited to explore special exhibits that highlight the library’s evolution over the decades—its collections, its role in legal education, and its place at the heart of the law school community.
For a walk down memory lane, we have created several exhibits on the library’s main floor. Check out Celebrating 100 Years of the Law Library, Memories, From the Law School Archives, as well as 100 Years of Legal Research, (directly across from the Circulation desk.)
Stop by during Reunion Weekend to reconnect with old classmates, revisit the space where so many milestones happened, and see how the library continues to support learning, scholarship, and community.
We can't wait to welcome you back to the library!
Newsflash! Digital Access to New York Times and WSJ
FAQ – Top 5 Questions at the Law Library!
We are a week into the new semester and are so excited to welcome (back) everyone! Here are some of the most common questions we’ve seen at the front desk. This way you can make the most of your time here on campus and focus on other things like getting ready for class!
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What are Course Reserves?
One copy of all required textbooks from each class is kept on reserve at the library. To check them out (four hours at a time) just stop by the Access Service desk to see if it is available.
To return them when the library is open, just bring those books back to the front desk. If you put them in the drop box, you may end up getting late fines, and you also deny your fellow students the ability to check the book out for themselves.
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What’s the scoop with Study Aids?
In addition to electronic study aids such as Cali and West Academic Study Aids, did you know you can use numerous study aids at the library?
For example, on the third floor of the library you can study with Emanuel's, Nutshells and Examples and Explanations (AKA "E & E's) for Civil Procedure. You can use them in the library, scan sections you want- they are all available at your fingertips! We even have copies of the trusty Blue Book if you happen to forget it! Looking for writing assistance, there are loads of books dedicated to this topic you can check out!
For more info on study aids broken down by topic, check out this research guide.
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Where are the printers and scanners located?
Printing
Law students have access to WEPA printers and release stations at several locations on campus. Printing costs $0.08 per side (black and white) and $0.35 per side (color). Students may upload print jobs from their own laptops directly to WEPA. Law Computer Lab workstations are also configured to allow printing.
WEPA stations are located in the Computer Lab (Library 2nd Floor), Library 3rd, 4th and 5th Floor.
Lexis Printing
It’s free to print material from Lexis to the Lexis printer also located on the 2nd floor! Lexis offers free printing from Lexis Advance from dedicated Lexis printers located outside the second floor computer lab. You can print Lexis materials from any computer using your Lexis account. For instructions:
Scanners
The Law Library provides two sheetfeed and book-eye scanners on the 3rd Floor of the Law Library, adjacent to the circulation desk. There is no charge to use the scanner. You can email scans to yourself or save them on a flash drive.
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Where can I find a filtered water fountain/fill station?
While there are a number of water fountains all over campus, the fill stations are located in a few specific spots. From the front desk of the library, we often tell people to go through the double doors and take a right down the hallway to find the one we have in our building. Otherwise, there is a station in the gym in Knight, and two in Hosmer, one of the first floor and one on the second. They are located down the hallways amongst the faculty offices, so maybe say hi to a professor while filling up!
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How can I get my hands on library materials?
You are always welcome to come into the building and pull things from the shelves yourself and check them out at the front desk, and reference librarians love to help locate them if you need a helping hand. During the pandemic, we also created a new on-demand service called Library2Go. It’s still a thing! Check out our page explaining the Library2Go pickup and digital scanning service.
Always remember that we are here to help and available to answer any questions you may have. Stop by the front desk anytime to say "hi" or feel free to reach out electronically.
Any questions we forgot? Reach out and ask away! Have a great semester!