An Act To Exempt Certain Parents and Caretakers from Jury Duty
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 14 MRSA §1211, as amended by PL 2005, c. 60, §1, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
§ 1211. Disqualifications and exemptions from jury service
1. Disqualification. A prospective juror is disqualified to serve on a jury if that prospective juror is not a citizen of the United States, at least 18 years of age and a resident of the county or is unable to read, speak and understand the English language.
2. Exemption. The following persons are exempt from serving as jurors:
A. The Governor;
B. Judges;
C. Physicians and dentists providing active patient care;
D. Veterinarians with or in an active veterinary medicine practice;
E. Sheriffs;
F. Attorneys-at-law;
G. All persons exempt under Title 37-B, section 185;
H. A mother who is breast-feeding a child;
I. A parent of a child who has not attained 10 years of age if the court determines that service of the parent as a juror would jeopardize the safety of the child; and
J. A caretaker of an elderly or disabled person if that person requires full-time attention from the caretaker.
summary
In addition to those currently exempted for jury duty, this bill exempts from jury duty a mother who is breast-feeding a child; a parent of child who has not attained 10 years of age if the court determines that service of the parent as a juror would jeopardize the safety of the child; and a caretaker of an elderly or disabled person if that person requires full-time attention from the caretaker.