IndianaIndiana law lets breastfeeding new mothers seek jury exemption
Since July 1, 2026, women who gave birth in the past year and are breastfeeding may seek a jury service exemption by notifying the jury administrator.
What it does
A woman who gave birth in the past 365 days and is breastfeeding may seek an exemption from jury service by notifying the jury administrator.
Argument forEligible women may avoid jury service while breastfeeding if they want to seek an exemption.
Argument againstIf more eligible women seek this exemption, courts might have fewer people available for jury service.
More detail
A woman may be exempted from jury service if she notifies the jury administrator that she wants the exemption. This applies to a woman who gave birth in the 365 days before seeking the exemption. She must be currently breastfeeding the baby. The provision took effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 4Public Law 69Latest
- Mar 4Signed by the Governor Mike BraunBecame Law
- Feb 27Signed by the SpeakerMajor
- Feb 27Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- Feb 27Signed by the President Pro TemporeMajor
- Feb 25Returned to the Senate without amendmentsMinor
- Feb 24Third reading: passed; Roll Call 340: yeas 98, nays 0Passed House
- Vote recorded SB 139 - Olthoff - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 23Second reading: ordered engrossedMinor
- Feb 18Committee report: do pass, adoptedMinor
- Feb 17Representative Cash added as cosponsor
- Feb 2Representative Meltzer added as cosponsor
- Jan 29Representative King added as cosponsor
- Jan 20First reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal CodeMinor
- Jan 14Referred to the HouseMinor
- Jan 13Senator Rogers added as third author
- Vote recorded SB 139 - Donato - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 13Third reading: passed; Roll Call 22: yeas 49, nays 0Passed Senate
- Jan 13House sponsor: Representative Olthoff
- Jan 13Senator Buck added as coauthor
- Jan 13Senator Young M added as coauthor
- Jan 12Second reading: ordered engrossedMinor
- Jan 12Senator Randolph added as coauthor
- Jan 8Committee report: do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 6Senator Doriot added as second author
- Jan 5First reading: referred to Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 5Authored by Senator DonatoIntroduced
Criminal Justice