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Bill

RA

Bill

A 1992

Exempts nursing mothers from jury duty.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Reginald Atkins and 7 co-sponsors

New Jersey bill exempts nursing mothers from jury duty to accommodate breastfeeding obligations, addressing conflicts between civic service and infant care responsibilities.

Substituted by S2236
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Bill Summary · A 1992

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 1992 would exempt nursing mothers from jury duty in New Jersey. The exemption would allow women who are actively breastfeeding to be excused from jury service without penalty. The bill has progressed through committee review and was substituted by a companion Senate bill (S2236) in March 2025.

Why this is important

Jury duty is a civic obligation that typically cannot be declined without consequences, yet nursing mothers face genuine logistical challenges in participating—including maintaining lactation schedules and caring for dependent infants. This bill addresses whether pregnancy/nursing status should receive the same accommodations as other hardship exemptions, affecting both jury pool composition and working mothers' obligations.

Potential points of contention

  • Jury pool integrity: Exempting a demographic group could skew jury composition and raise questions about fair representation, particularly in cases involving parents or family matters
  • Scope of exemption: Unclear how long the exemption lasts, whether it covers all breastfeeding situations, or if similar accommodations should extend to nursing fathers or other caregivers
  • Alternative solutions: Critics may argue that accommodations (remote participation, schedule flexibility, onsite childcare) better balance civic duty with practical needs than blanket exemptions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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