SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5591

As Passed Senate, January 30, 2002

Title:  An act relating to a jury duty exemption for sole caregivers.

Brief Description:  Providing a sole caregiver jury duty exemption.

Sponsors:  Senators Zarelli, Kline, Costa, McCaslin and Kohl‑Welles.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Judiciary:  2/6/01, 2/13/01 [DP].

Passed Senate:  3/6/01, 46-0; 1/30/02, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Kline, Chair; Constantine, Vice Chair; Costa, Johnson, Kastama, Long, McCaslin, Roach and Thibaudeau.

Staff:  Lidia Mori (786‑7755)

Background:  Current law provides that a person may not be excused for jury service by a court unless there is a showing of undue hardship, extreme inconvenience, public necessity or any other reason found to be sufficient by a court.  There is concern that some courts apply a very strict interpretation of this standard causing some people to be unjustifiably inconvenienced.

Summary of Bill:  The judge or clerk of the court is directed to excuse a person from jury service if the person is the sole caregiver for a child or other dependent and requests to be excused.  The person must be unable to afford day care or make other arrangements for the care of the dependent.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  It is important that a primary caregiver for a child or other dependent person know that he or she will be excused from jury service if unable to afford daycare or make other arrangements for the care of the dependent person.  A person would not be a good juror if he or she was worried about the welfare of the person normally in their care.  Oregon has an exemption law similar to this bill.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Celeste Badger; Brenda Lubbers.