COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 34 into law today, expanding the circumstances under which a prospective juror can be excused from jury service. Sponsored by Representatives Roy Klopfenstien (R-Haviland) and Angela King (R-Celina), the bill permits mothers who are breastfeeding to request exemption from jury duty if their baby is one year of age or younger.
Key Provisions of House Bill 34:
- Breastfeeding Exemption: The bill allows prospective jurors who are mothers and currently breastfeeding to be excused from jury service. If a mother provides a signed affidavit to the judge stating that she is breastfeeding her baby, this documentation will be considered satisfactory support for the request to be excused.
- Undue or Extreme Hardship: Previously, Ohio law allowed for prospective jurors to be excused if jury service would cause undue or extreme physical or financial hardship to the juror or someone under their care or supervision. House Bill 34 now explicitly includes breastfeeding mothers in this category.
- One-Year Age Limit: The exemption applies only if the baby is one year of age or younger. Beyond that age, the mother would not be eligible for this specific exemption.
Detailed Analysis: The bill addresses the grounds for excusing jurors. Under current law, a person liable to serve as a juror can be excused if they demonstrate specific grounds for exemption to the satisfaction of the judge or commissioners of jurors. One such ground is undue or extreme physical or financial hardship. House Bill 34 expands this category to include breastfeeding mothers with babies aged one year or younger.
Ohio joins several other states in recognizing the unique challenges faced by breastfeeding mothers and providing accommodations to support their needs during jury service. Advocates hope that this legislation will encourage more mothers to participate in the civic duty of jury duty without compromising their caregiving responsibilities.