Jury Duty Exemption for Breastfeeding Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7946
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Law
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-16: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-19T15:17:12Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Jury Duty Exemption for Breastfeeding Act of 2026" aims to allow individuals who are breastfeeding to be excused from jury service in federal courts and courts in the District of Columbia (D.C.), recognizing the challenges of fulfilling jury duties while breastfeeding.
Key Provisions
- Federal Courts: Amends Section 1866 of Title 28, U.S. Code, by adding a new subsection (h). This provision states that a breastfeeding individual summoned for jury service can be excused by the court or, if authorized by the court's jury selection plan, by the court clerk upon the individual's request.
- D.C. Courts: Amends Section 11-1908(b) of the D.C. Official Code to include a new exemption category. Breastfeeding individuals can request exclusion from jury duty, which the court must grant.
- The bill applies only to those summoned for service and requires no additional proof beyond the request.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Federal Level: Updates the list of exemptions in federal jury selection laws (under 28 U.S.C. § 1866) by inserting a reference to the new breastfeeding exemption and adding the full provision. Previously, exemptions focused on categories like age, hardship, or public officials, but did not specifically address breastfeeding.
- D.C. Level: Expands the existing exemptions in D.C. law by adding breastfeeding as a fifth category, renumbering prior clauses for clarity. This aligns D.C. courts with the new federal standard.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Provides relief for breastfeeding parents (primarily mothers) by allowing them to opt out of jury duty without penalty, potentially reducing stress related to childcare, health, or work during this period. It may encourage broader participation in civic duties later by accommodating family needs.
- On Government Agencies and Courts: Courts and clerks will need to process these exemption requests efficiently, possibly requiring minor updates to jury summons forms or procedures. No major resource strain is anticipated, as the exemption is request-based and automatic.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic policy focused on U.S. judicial processes.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Breastfeeding Individuals: Primary beneficiaries, gaining an automatic exemption to prioritize health and family responsibilities.
- Court Systems: Federal and D.C. courts, including judges and clerks, who must administer the exemptions.
- Jury Pools: Potential indirect effect on the broader pool of available jurors, though the change is narrow and unlikely to significantly alter selection processes.
- Legislative Committees: The House Committee on the Judiciary and Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which will review and potentially amend the bill.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens accommodations under jury service laws, which are grounded in the Sixth Amendment's right to a fair trial by an impartial jury. The exemption is narrowly tailored to avoid undue burden on the judicial system, as it requires only a simple request.
- Constitutional: Supports equal protection principles by addressing gender-specific needs in civic obligations, without conflicting with compulsory jury service requirements for others.
- Political: Highlights ongoing efforts to promote family-friendly policies and gender equity in public service. As an introduced bill (H.R. 7946, 119th Congress), it reflects bipartisan potential in supporting parental rights, though its passage would depend on committee approval and floor votes. No major controversies are evident from the text, but it could spark debates on expanding exemptions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-16: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-03-16: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-03-16: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-16: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E217)
- 2026-03-16: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Jury Duty Exemption for Breastfeeding Act of 2026 — issued 2026-03-16 — PDF (2 pages)