ALLOW HIGHER ED STUDENTS TO DEFER JURY DUTY

House Bill 4570 as enrolled

Public Act 10 of 2014

Sponsor:  Rep. Kevin Cotter

House Committee:  Judiciary

Senate Committee:  Judiciary

Complete to 8-1-14

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4570 AS ENACTED

House Bill 4570 amended the Revised Judicature Act (MCL 600.1335) to require the chief judge of the court to which a person is "returned as a juror" to postpone the person's term of service until the end of the academic year, if the person is a full-time student enrolled in and attending a college, community college, university, graduate or professional school, or vocational school, or any other accredited educational institution.  A person is "returned" as a juror when served with a written notice summoning him or her to appear in court for jury service.

The student would have to request the postponement.  Potential jurors would need to provide satisfactory proof that the term of jury duty will likely interfere with their class schedules. 

Previously, a chief judge was only required to postpone the term of service until the end of the school year for a full-time high school student.

The bill took effect February 18, 2014.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would not appear to have a significant fiscal impact on the state or local units of government.

BRIEF DISCUSSION OF THE BILL:

The bill extended to students attending college, university, or various graduate, professional, or vocational schools the same ability to postpone jury duty until the summer break that was previously in place for high school students.  To be eligible for the postponement, the student would have to request a postponement, be enrolled full time, and show proof that the hours of jury duty are likely to conflict with class schedules.  Though it was not discussed, the bill as written might not be of benefit to a student whose classes are all taken in an online format.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky

                                                                                                   Fiscal Analyst:   Robin Risko

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.