Sec. 1. 14 MRSA §1213, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1981, c. 705, Pt. G, §6, is amended to read:

2. Basis for excuse; record. A qualified prospective juror may be excused from jury service only upon a showing of undue hardship, extreme inconvenience, public necessity, inability to secure adequate child care at no expense to the prospective juror, other pressing personal needs or that he the prospective juror is incapable of rendering satisfactory jury service by reason of physical or mental disability. A person claiming a disability excuse may be required to submit a physician's certificate or accredited Christian Science practitioner's certificate and the certifying physician or Christian Science practitioner is subject to inquiry by the court at its descretion discretion. The decision concerning a request for excuse shall must be made by the presiding justice or by a clerk of court acting under the supervision of the presiding justice. Depending upon the circumstances, such a juror may be excused from jury service finally, be required to serve at a later specific time or be required to serve for a period of time less than the usual 15 court days. The clerk shall enter this determination and the reason therefor in the appropriate record kept for that purpose.

SUMMARY

This bill allows prospective jurors to be excused if they are unable to secure child care or have other pressing personal needs.