Jury Duty Exemption for Breastfeeding Act of 2026

Jury Duty Exemption for Breastfeeding Act of 2026

What the Bill Does

Based on its title and typical legislation of this type, this bill would allow breastfeeding mothers to be excused from serving on federal jury duty. Currently, federal law provides limited grounds for exemption or deferral from jury service, and breastfeeding is not explicitly listed as one of them. This bill would create a specific, formal exemption so that a mother who is actively breastfeeding her child could request to be excused without having to rely on a judge's discretion or argue hardship on a case-by-case basis.

Who It Affects

This bill would directly affect breastfeeding mothers who are summoned for federal jury duty. It would give them a clear legal right to opt out of service during the period they are nursing, removing the stress and logistical challenges of being required to appear in court — which can disrupt feeding schedules, affect milk supply, and create childcare difficulties. It would also affect the federal court system by standardizing how judges and court administrators handle these requests.

Where Things Stand

The bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to two committees — the Judiciary Committee and the Oversight and Government Reform Committee — for review. No official vote has taken place yet. Because no formal bill text or description has been publicly released, some specific details, such as how long the exemption would last or what documentation might be required, are not yet known.