The Fernald Case

The state's standard of care for mentally retarded people is before the court later this morning. A federal judge is holding a status conference to decide whether 43 mentally retarded adults have been receiving adequate care since they were moved out of the state-run Fernald Developmental Center in Waltham.

This is the latest chapter in a saga that began with a civil rights lawsuit more than three decades ago. The same lawyer is representing the plaintiffs and the same judge is hearing the arguments.

Monica Brady-Myerov looks at the history of the case and what is at stake today.