Bill would excuse nursing mothers from jury duty

LANSING (AP) -- A bill that would give breastfeeding mothers an automatic exemption from jury duty is advancing in the Michigan Legislature. The Senate approved the bill last Thursday by a 36-0 vote. The bill returns with changes to the House, which earlier passed a version of the legislation. The bill would allow a nursing mother to be exempted from jury duty if she has a letter from a doctor or a lactation consultant. The exemption would be good for as long as the mother is breastfeeding. Supporters of the bill say the exemption would benefit nursing mothers and also would ensure that court proceedings would not be disrupted. Judges already have the discretion to exempt nursing mothers from jury duty. At least 12 states exempt a nursing mother from jury duty. Published: Mon, Mar 19, 2012