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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Amy
Figard |
State Rep. Paul Costa |
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Costa jury duty bill passes House
People 70 or older may be excused from jury duty
HARRISBURG, April 23 -- State Rep. Paul Costa, D-Allegheny, today announced that his bill to allow people 70 or older to opt out of jury duty has passed the House of Representatives.
House Bill 688 would provide an exemption from jury duty for senior citizens who are 70 or older and who choose not to serve.
“I think it is very important we allow seniors the courtesy of choosing to be exempt from jury duty,” Costa said. “Often, requiring these folks to serve places an unnecessary hardship on them and their families.”
Current law states that a citizen is required to serve on jury duty only once every three years, unless the juror has served less than three days in any year, in which case the exemption period is one year.
Other exemptions are permitted for those actively serving in the armed forces, those who can show extreme inconvenience and the spouses, children, siblings, parents, grandparents and grandchildren of victims of criminal homicide.
Costa’s bill passed the House 191 to 3, and now moves to the Senate for consideration.
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