BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 319
81R286 CAE-D By: Raymond, Leibowitz (Carona)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, a jury exemption can be provided for a person who has custody of a child under age 10 and whose service on the jury would require leaving the child without adequate supervision. However, under Texas law, a person with custody of a child can be punished for abandonment or endangerment of a child under age 15. The age discrepancy creates a burden on persons who are required to serve on a jury and who have custody of a child who falls within the age gap.
H.B. 319 authorizes a person to be exempt from jury service if the person has custody of a child younger than 15 who would be left without adequate supervision if the person was required to serve on a jury.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 62.106(a), Government Code, as follows:
(a) Authorizes a person qualified to serve as a petit juror to establish an exemption from jury service if the person meets certain requirements, including has legal custody of a child younger than 15, rather than 10, years of age and the person's service on the jury requires leaving the child without adequate supervision.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2009.