NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A6025
SPONSOR: Zaccaro TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the judiciary law, in relation to exempting senior citi-
zens from jury duty
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The legislation would allow Seniors who are 75 years old or older to
claim exemption from jury duty should they so wish.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. The judiciary law is amended by adding a new section § 511
that upon claiming an exemption, a prospective juror who is seventy-five
years or older, shall be exempt from jury duty. The chief administrator
of the courts shall prescribe the form to be used for a qualified person
to file with the appropriate commissioner of jurors for exemption from
jury duty.
Section 2. Effective date
JUSTIFICATION:
Transportation can become a significant challenge for New Yorkers aged
75 and older. As people age, many stop driving altogether, with 75 being
the average age, according to AARP. This can be due to various reasons
such as declining health, vision loss, or cognitive impairment. For
seniors who have reduced mobility or have stopped driving, everyday
tasks like grocery shopping, medical appointments, and socializing can
become difficult.
Serving on a jury can be particularly challenging for seniors in this
situation. Receiving a jury summons can cause undue stress and anxiety,
especially if transportation to the courthouse is a concern. Fortunate-
ly, seniors aged 75+ who want to remain eligible for jury duty don't
need to take any further action. This exemption acknowledges the poten-
tial hardships that seniors may face and ensures that they are not
unfairly burdened by jury service.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A8358: 2023-2024, referred to Judiciary
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
6025
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 25, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ZACCARO -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the judiciary law, in relation to exempting senior citi-
zens from jury duty
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The judiciary law is amended by adding a new section 511 to
2 read as follows:
3 § 511. Senior citizens exempt from jury duty. 1. Upon claiming
4 exemption therefrom, a prospective juror who is seventy-five years of
5 age or older, shall be exempt from jury duty.
6 2. The chief administrator of the courts shall prescribe a form to be
7 used therefor. Any qualified person may file such form with the appro-
8 priate commissioner of jurors who shall thereupon exempt such person
9 from jury duty. Such exemption shall remain valid unless such exempted
10 person requests to be reinstated as a prospective juror in a form and
11 manner as promulgated by the chief administrator of the courts.
12 § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
13 it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
14 ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
15 tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
16 completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10044-01-5
