Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Federal law requiring accuracy in reporting information, protecting against defamation claims, and applying to employment references. While primarily focused on consumer reports, its principles extend to reference letters.

State-Specific Reference Laws: Various state laws that provide protection for reference providers acting in good faith, with specific requirements about information disclosure and immunity statutes that vary by state.

Defamation Laws: Laws requiring all statements in reference letters to be truthful and factual, avoiding potentially libelous statements and focusing on verifiable facts and observations.

Privacy Laws: Federal and state regulations governing the protection of personal information, requiring consent before sharing personal details and careful handling of sensitive information.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Federal law prohibiting the disclosure of medical conditions or disabilities in reference letters and requiring maintenance of health-related information confidentiality.

Volunteer Protection Act of 1997: Federal legislation providing liability protection for volunteers and influencing how volunteer service should be characterized in reference letters.

Equal Employment Opportunity Laws: Federal and state regulations prohibiting discriminatory language and requiring compliance with anti-discrimination provisions in all employment-related documentation.