function checkRequired(form_name) {

	failed = false;

	if (document.forms[form_name].required.value) {
		reqArray = document.forms[form_name].required.value.split(",");

		for (a = 0; a < reqArray.length; a++) {
			if(document.forms[form_name].elements[reqArray[a]].value == "") {
				document.forms[form_name].elements[reqArray[a]].className = "textfield-required";
				if (!failed) { document.forms[form_name].elements[reqArray[a]].focus(); }
				failed = true;
			} else {
				document.forms[form_name].elements[reqArray[a]].className = "textfield";
			}
		}

		if (failed) {
			alert("One or more required fields were not filled in. Please fill in all the required fields before submitting.\nThe required fields are highlighted.");
			return false
		}
	}

	return true;
}