March 16, 2026
Ms. Norton introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To exempt breastfeeding individuals from jury duty, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Jury Duty Exemption for Breastfeeding Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Jury duty exemption for breastfeeding individuals
(a) Courts of the United States
Section 1866 of title 28, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in subsection (c), by inserting after Except as provided
the following: in subsection (h) of this section,
; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following:
(h)
An individual who is breastfeeding summoned for jury service shall be excused by the court, or by the clerk under supervision of the court if the court’s jury selection plan so authorizes, upon the individual’s request.
(b) Courts of the District of Columbia
Section 11–1908(b), District of Columbia Official Code, is amended—
(1)
by striking or (4)
and inserting (4)
; and
(2)
by striking the period at the end of the first sentence and inserting the following: ; or (5) excluded by the Court upon the request of the individual if the individual is breastfeeding.
.