Disability and Age in Jury Service Nondiscrimination Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]
- Committees
- Judiciary Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Sep 2, 2025
Bottom line
The bill aims to ensure equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities and older individuals to serve on federal juries by prohibiting discrimination and requiring reasonable accommodations.
What it actually does
This bill amends title 28 of the United States Code to explicitly prohibit the exclusion of individuals from federal jury service based on disability or age. It replaces the term "infirmity" with "disability that cannot be reasonably accommodated" as a disqualifying factor and mandates that no person can be disqualified due to disability if they could serve with reasonable accommodation.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that this legislation is a crucial step towards ensuring that federal jury service reflects the diversity of the American population, aligning jury selection with broader civil rights principles. They contend it removes outdated barriers, promotes inclusivity, and allows the justice system to benefit from the varied perspectives and experiences of all citizens, including those with disabilities and older Americans.
Opponents contend
Critics or those raising concerns might point to the potential administrative and financial burdens on federal courts to implement and consistently provide a wide range of reasonable accommodations. They may also raise questions about how to balance the right to serve with the practical need for efficient court operations and ensuring all jurors can effectively fulfill their duties without undue disruption.
The bill is very short and clearly written, allowing for quick and complete comprehension of its provisions by any interested reader.
Section 2(a)
Expanding Nondiscrimination Protections for Federal Jury Service
This provision amends Section 1862 of title 28, United States Code, which outlines the policy against discrimination in federal jury selection. It explicitly adds "disability, age," to the list of characteristics—such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and economic status—that cannot be used as grounds for exclusion from service on grand or petit juries in district courts. This ensures that individuals cannot be barred from jury service solely because of their age or a disability.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision ensures equal civic participation for all citizens, aligning federal jury service with broader civil rights principles and leveraging diverse perspectives in the justice system. They contend it removes arbitrary barriers to service.
Critics contend
Critics might raise concerns about potential administrative burdens on courts to implement new anti-discrimination measures and the need for clear guidance on what constitutes discrimination in practice, particularly regarding age and disability.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances the fundamental principle of equal access to civic duty with the practical considerations of managing a diverse jury pool and ensuring fair and efficient trials.
Section 2(b)
Mandating Reasonable Accommodation for Jurors with Disabilities
This section makes two key changes to Section 1865 of title 28, which outlines qualifications for jury service. First, it amends subsection (b)(4) by replacing the broad term "infirmity" with "disability that cannot be reasonably accommodated" as a disqualifying factor. This means a person can only be disqualified if their disability genuinely prevents service even with help. Second, it adds a new subsection (c), explicitly stating that a person cannot be disqualified from grand or petit juries due to disability if they would otherwise be qualified through reasonable accommodation. This codifies the right to accommodation for potential jurors with disabilities.