diff --git a/projects/samskivert/src/java/com/samskivert/servlet/util/ParameterUtil.java b/projects/samskivert/src/java/com/samskivert/servlet/util/ParameterUtil.java
index ebd91e1c..6d916e57 100644
--- a/projects/samskivert/src/java/com/samskivert/servlet/util/ParameterUtil.java
+++ b/projects/samskivert/src/java/com/samskivert/servlet/util/ParameterUtil.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 //
-// $Id: ParameterUtil.java,v 1.7 2003/08/19 23:09:12 ray Exp $
+// $Id: ParameterUtil.java,v 1.8 2003/08/19 23:39:25 ray Exp $
 //
 // samskivert library - useful routines for java programs
 // Copyright (C) 2001 Michael Bayne
@@ -178,6 +178,19 @@ public class ParameterUtil
 	return value;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Fetches the supplied parameter from the request and ensures that
+     * it is no longer than maxLength.
+     */
+    public static String requireParameter (
+        HttpServletRequest req, String name, String missingDataMessage,
+        int maxLength)
+	throws DataValidationException
+    {
+        return StringUtil.truncate(
+            requireParameter(req, name, missingDataMessage), maxLength);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Fetches the supplied parameter from the request and converts it to
      * a date. The value of the parameter should be a date formatted like