FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          CR
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1995                        (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

                                 
                          MEDIA ADVISORY


     Judge James Cacheris of U.S. District Court in Alexandria
today issued a decision under the Americans with Disabilities Act
prohibiting the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners from requiring
applicants to answer a question about their mental health
history.  The Justice Department filed a friend of the court
brief in the case.  Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights
Deval L. Patrick issued the following statement: 


     "Today's decision reflects the ADA's prohibition against
     open-ended fishing into an individual's mental health
     history.  Mental health inquiries unrelated to a person's
     current ability to practice law perpetuate stigmas about
     persons with mental disabilities.  We hope that Virginia and
     other states will join those that already have adopted the
     Justice Department's position which was upheld today by this
     Court."


     A copy of the decision is available from the Justice
Department.  Contact:  Myron Marlin 202-616-2765.                 
 
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95-106