SPONSOR:	Sen. Henry & Rep. Bolden
	Sens. Blevins, Cloutier, Hall-Long, Peterson, Poore; Reps. Baumbach, Bennett, Briggs King, Heffernan, Hudson, Keeley, Kowalko, Longhurst, Osienski, Paradee, M. Smith, K. Williams, Ramone

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

148th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 84

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO JURY SERVICE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Section 4511, Title 10 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 4511 Excuse or exclusion from jury service.

(a) The Court shall determine on the basis of information provided on the juror qualification form or interview with the prospective juror or other competent evidence whether the prospective juror shall be excused or excluded from jury service.

(b) A person who is not disqualified may be excused from jury service by the Court only upon a showing of undue hardship, extreme inconvenience or public necessity, for a period the Court deems necessary, at the conclusion of which the person shall reappear for jury service in accordance with the Court's direction. The Court may determine that membership in specified groups of persons or occupational classes constitutes a showing of undue hardship, extreme inconvenience or public necessity. Women who are currently breastfeeding a child shall be excused from jury service for at least one year.

(c) A person who is not disqualified may be excluded from jury service by the Court only upon a finding that such person would be unable to render impartial jury service or would be likely to disrupt or otherwise adversely affect the proceedings.

SYNOPSIS

This bill would require that breastfeeding women be excused from jury service in the courts of the State of Delaware.

Author: Senator Henry