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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Sec. 1. 14 MRSA §1211,  as amended by PL 2005, c. 60, §1, is repealed and the following enacted in its place: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.