HARRISBURG, PA — On February 4, the Pennsylvania Senate passed SB210, introduced by State Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, which would allow exemptions from jury duty for senior citizens age 75 and older.

At least 26 states exempt elderly persons from serving on juries. Generally, states have set the age qualifying for the exemption at 65, 70 or 75. For example, in West Virginia the age is 65, in Maryland the age is 70, and in New Jersey the age is 75.

This exemption was suggested by a 79-year-old constituent who complained that he needed documentation from his doctor of “undue hardship” to be excused from jury duty and who reported that his 85-year-old friend also was summoned for jury duty.

Sen. Greenleaf said, “While many elderly persons may be able and willing to serve on juries, it seems only fair to give our most elderly citizens the ability to be excused from jury duty.”

The legislation also allows Pennsylvania judges and magisterial district judges, and judges of the United States as defined under federal law, to request an exemption if they are called for jury duty.

SB 210 unanimously passed the Senate, and has now been referred to the House of Representatives.