hb188_LC_37_0271_a_2.html
07 LC 37 0271
House Bill 188
By: Representatives Rynders of the 152nd, Manning of the 32nd, Walker of the 107th, Ralston of the 7th, Willard of the 49th, and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT


To amend Code Section 15-12-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to exemptions from jury duty, so as to provide for an exemption for a primary caregiver of a person aged six or older with physical or cognitive limitations; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.
Code Section 15-12-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to exemptions from jury duty, is amended in subsection (a) by adding a new paragraph to read as follows:
"(5) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, any person who is the primary unpaid caregiver for a person over the age of six; who executes an affidavit on a form provided by the court stating that such primary caregiver is responsible for the care of a person with such physical or cognitive limitations that he or she is unable to care for himself or herself and cannot be left unattended and that the primary caregiver has no reasonably available alternative to provide for the care; and who requests to be excused or deferred shall be excused or deferred from jury duty for not more than five years depending on the circumstances. The length of such excusal or deferral shall be at the discretion of the court. At the expiration of the time of any such excusal or deferral, the primary caregiver may request that the excusal or deferral continue if the circumstances of the caregiving are unchanged. Such excusal or deferral shall be continued for the same length of time as long as the caregiving responsibilities remain unchanged. It is the responsibility of the primary caregiver to advise the court if the caregiving responsibilities change in such a way that the primary caregiver is able to serve on a jury, and at that time such excusal or deferral shall end."

SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.