Can a statutory code on Lexis or Westlaw lack a newly-enacted law?

A statutory code on platforms like Lexis or Westlaw can indeed lack a newly-enacted law due to the time it takes for legislative updates to be processed and reflected in these databases. Even though these legal research platforms strive to provide the most current information available, there may be a lag between the passage of a law and its incorporation into the database.

This can occur particularly in high-volume legislative environments where new laws are enacted frequently. Updates to databases rely on various factors, including the speed of legislative processes, administrative updates, and the specific practices of the service provider in capturing and updating legal content. Therefore, it is possible for a statutory code to momentarily lack new legislation until it is added in subsequent updates.

In this context, the possibility that newly enacted laws are not immediately included emphasizes the importance of consulting multiple sources and checking for the most current legislative changes.