TOLEDO, Ohio — A new jury duty exemption has been added here in Ohio.
Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 34 into law on Tuesday, meaning breastfeeding mothers can be exempted from jury duty.
READ MORE: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signs bill allowing breastfeeding mothers to be excused from jury service
Americans who are summoned to participate as jurors in a court, often times find themselves torn between their civic duty and other priorities; for this reason, some exemptions already exist, giving the public the option to reschedule or even cancel their time in court.
Some exemptions include:
- Mental and physical health issues
- A recent death in the family
- Students attending school
- Religious obligation
- Age restrictions - people 75 or older can be excused
Now, thanks to the bill that was first introduced to the Ohio House of Representatives in February 2023 by Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) and Angela King (R-Celina), mothers currently breastfeeding babies who are one year of age or younger can request an exemption based on undue or extreme physical or financial hardship.
Angie Bauman, Director of Nursing and Lactation Support with the Lucas County Health Department said breastfeeding continues to be one of the most affordable and nutritious options for infants.
"This exemption is important because it allows mothers to continue breastfeeding without undue barriers and interruptions," Bauman said. "This is one of those situations where breastfeeding is difficult, so whenever we can make an attempt to reduce barriers and make it easier for moms and babies to be together, we should."
Bauman said the bill will also positively impact judicial proceedings.
"Anytime that women are put into a situation where they feel like they have to make a decision between taking care of their child or doing their civic duty; that's not a situation where anyone wants to be," Bauman said. "We want jurors who want to be at jury duty. So, it doesn't just benefit the breast-feeding mother, but it also benefits those people who are in need of the juror services."
Ohio's Department of Health recorded more than 75 percent of infants in Ohio are breastfed.
The experts with the Lucas County Health Department said these mothers should continue to know their rights.
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