AB1359 - Jury service exemptions.

Assembly Bill No. 1359 CHAPTER 195 An act to amend, repeal, and add Section 204 of the Code of Civil Procedure, relating to jury service. [ Approved by Governor September 14, 2026. Filed with Secretary of State September 14, 2026. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1359, Ahrens. Jury service exemptions. Existing law allows for an eligible person to be excused from jury service only for undue hardship upon themselves or the public, as defined by the Judicial Council. Existing rules of court allow a person with a disability or their representative to seek a permanent medical excuse from jury service and require the individual to submit a written request accompanied by a supporting letter, memo, or note from a treating health care provider, as specified. This bill would, commencing January 1, 2028, authorize a person 80 years of age or older to seek a permanent excuse from jury service due to a medical impairment without providing a supporting letter, memorandum, or note from a treating health care provider. The bill would require the court to permanently excuse a person who seeks the above-described permanent excuse from jury service upon the jury commissioner’s receipt of a written attestation stating that the person has an impairment, as specified. The bill would authorize the Judicial Council to adopt or amend a rule of court and publish related judicial forms as necessary to implement these provisions. Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill Text The people of the State of California do enact as follows: SECTION 1. Section 204 of the Code of Civil Procedure is amended to read: 204. (a) An eligible person shall not be exempt from service as a trial juror by reason of occupation, economic status, or any characteristic listed or defined in Section 11135 of the Government Code, or for any other reason. A person shall not be excused from service as a trial juror except as specified in subdivision (b). (b) An eligible person may be excused from jury service only for undue hardship, upon themselves or upon the public, as defined by the Judicial Council. (c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2028, and as of that date is repealed. SEC. 2. Section 204 is added to the Code of Civil Procedure, to read: 204. (a) An eligible person shall not be exempt from service as a trial juror by reason of occupation, economic status, or any characteristic listed or defined in Section 11135 of the Government Code, or for any other reason. A person shall not be excused from service as a trial juror except as specified in subdivisions (b) and (c). (b) An eligible person may be excused from jury service only for undue hardship, upon themselves or upon the public, as defined by the Judicial Council. (c) (1) An eligible person 80 years of age or older may seek a permanent excuse from jury service due to a medical impairment without a supporting letter, memorandum, or note from a treating health care provider. (2) A person 80 years of age or older who seeks a permanent excuse from jury service pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be permanently excused from jury service upon providing the jury commissioner with a written attestation stating they have an impairment permanently rendering them incapable of performing jury service. Additional medical documentation shall not be required from the person. (3) The Judicial Council may adopt or amend a rule of court and publish related judicial forms as necessary to implement this subdivision. (d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2028.