An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in juries and jurors, further providing for qualifications of jurors.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tim Briggs and 9 co-sponsors

HB 2281 updates how Pennsylvania excludes potential jurors based on records, refining the recording and application of record-based exclusions.

Re-committed to Rules

Summary of Bill HB 2281 (2025-2026) – Pennsylvania

Purpose and Intent

HB 2281 seeks to amend Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, specifically in the chapter dealing with juries and jurors.

The primary subject is “modernizing record-based juror exclusion,” i.e., updating procedures and criteria for excluding potential jurors from serving on juries based on records or information that may affect eligibility or impartiality.

Key Provisions and Changes (as reported)

The bill adds or clarifies provisions related to the qualifications of jurors, with a focus on how juror exclusions are identified and recorded.

The exact text is not provided in the summary materials available here, but the title indicates amendments to:

Juror qualifications
Record-based exclusions (how exclusions are determined, documented, and potentially appealed or reviewed)

A committee amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported as amended. This suggests changes were made to address implementation details or to refine the scope of record-based exclusions.

Who/What Would Be Affected

Prospective jurors: Individuals summoned for jury service could be impacted by updated criteria or procedures for exclusion based on recorded information.

Courts and clerks of court: Administrative offices responsible for juror qualification processes would implement the revised exclusions and record-keeping requirements.

The jury system overall: The changes aim to streamline, modernize, or tighten the way jurors are excused due to record-based factors, potentially affecting juror pools and the selection process.

Procedural and Timeline Details

Introduced in the 2025-2026 Regular Session and sponsored by Rep. Tim Briggs (principal) with a cross-section of co-sponsors.

Referred to the Judiciary Committee on March 12, 2026.

On June 17, 2026, the bill was reported as amended by the House Judiciary Committee (PN 2987). An amendment (PN 2987 A03652) was adopted with a 26-0 vote in the committee, indicating strong support for the amendment.

The bill was first considered by the House on June 17, 2026, and subsequently re-committed to Rules on the same day after initial consideration.

The most recent action shows the bill being re-committed to the Rules Committee, with prior committee voting records showing 14 yes / 12 no on the amended bill (PN 2987) and 26 yes / 0 no on the amendment adoption (PN 2987 A03652).

Notable Context

The sponsoring members emphasize modernization of record-based juror exclusions, which may involve aligning state practice with updated data handling, privacy considerations, or efficiency improvements in juror pool management.

The bill’s exact statutory language will determine specifics, such as which records trigger exclusion, how exclusions are documented, duration of exclusions, procedures for reconsideration or appeals, and any safeguards against improper exclusion.

Summary in Plain Terms

HB 2281 aims to update how Pennsylvania determines whether a potential juror should be excluded based on records. It focuses on improving the process for recording and applying these exclusions while refining juror qualification rules. The bill passed the Judiciary Committee with amendments and is moving through the legislative process with ongoing consideration and potential further changes.