Senator Montgomery's bill to exempt breastfeeding women from jury duty (S4442A) is voted out of the Judiciary Committee

Senator Montgomery's legislation (S4442a) would amend state law to provide an exemption from jury duty for breastfeeding women. In an effort to protect the health the child, it is imperative that a mechanism is created that allows a physician to explain why an excuse from jury duty should be accepted and facilitated. 

Many women have decided to breastfeed their infants as a matter of promoting better health of their new-born based on the undeniable evidence which shows breastfeeding as superior nutrition for the development of the infant's brain and immune system. Jury duty interferes with these efforts at a critical time in the development of a child's cognitive and cerebral formation.

No form of public service should override a mother's primary responsibility and care of her infant child. This legislation provides breastfeeding mothers with the ability to be excused from jury duty per the written notice by a physician supporting the reason for excuse. This legislation is a common sense approach to helping mother and child at a critical time.

For more information about the bill, visit https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2017/S4442/amendment/A