Permits physician assistant or advanced practice nurse to verify excusal from jury service due to medical inability to serve.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Paul Moriarty

The bill allows physician assistants and advanced practice nurses to verify medical juror excusals, expanding who can certify medical inability for jury service.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee

Summary of Bill S 4303 (New Jersey, Session 222)

Purpose and intent

The bill authorizes physician assistants (PAs) or advanced practice nurses (APNs) to verify a prospective juror’s excusal from jury service when the individual is medically unable to serve.

It aims to expand who can certify medical inability for jury duty excusal beyond physicians to include mid-level medical practitioners (PAs and APNs).

Key provisions and changes

Authorization for Verification:

PAs and APNs would be permitted to assess and verify that a prospective juror is medically incapable of serving and to provide the necessary excusal documentation.

Documentation and Standards:

The bill would specify the type of medical determination and documentation required to substantiate an excusal, aligning with standards for medical inability during jury service.

Scope of Practice (jurisdictional integration):

Integrates PAs and APNs into the process of excusal verification, complementing existing physicians who currently perform such verifications.

Oversight and Compliance:

Establishes any relevant administrative procedures for submitting medical excusal documentation to jury administrators or the court, including timelines and forms to be used.

Who is affected

Prospective jurors who are medically unable to serve:

Individuals seeking excusal due to medical reasons would be able to obtain verification from a PA or APN, in addition to physicians.

Medical professionals:

PAs and APNs who participate in the excusal verification process, subject to applicable scope-of-practice rules and any bill-specified requirements.

Jury administration and courts:

Courts and jury managers would receive excusal documentation from PAs/APNs and integrate it into juror eligibility records.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and referral:

Introduced in the Senate and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee (as of 2026-05-18).

Potential implementation:

The bill would become effective upon enactment and subsequent regulatory or administrative updates to implement the new verification pathway (details would be specified in the final text, including any effective dates or transition provisions).

Potential impact and considerations

Access and efficiency:

Could increase flexibility and accessibility for jurors who require medical verification, reducing delays in excusal processing.

Consistency of medical determinations:

Raises questions about standardizing medical attestations across different providers (physicians, PAs, APNs) to ensure uniform criteria for excusal.

Public confidence and safety:

Maintains the integrity of jury pools by ensuring medical excuses are properly vetted while potentially reducing the burden on physicians alone to verify all med-conditions.

Notes

Sponsor: Co-sponsor Paul Moriarty.

Status: Introduced in the Senate and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee (as of 2026-05-18).

Specifics such as procedural timelines, form requirements, and exact medical criteria would be clarified in the bill’s text and any accompanying legislative staff analyses.