Submitted Photo Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Greene/Fayette/Washington, is pictured receiving the PA State Association of Township Supervisors Chairman’s Award for public service advocating for our local townships.

Those age 70 and over would be able to exempt themselves from jury duty under a bill introduced this week in the state House of Representatives.

Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Greene/Fayette/Washington, has introduced the legislation formally after broaching the idea publicly in mid May. House Bill 2732 has received support from several Democrats as well as three Republican members of the House, meaning the bill could proceed to a committee vote.

“Our seniors have done their civic duty for decades, and they deserve to be relieved from the stressful and exhausting process of being called for jury duty,” said Snyder. “This bill would help elder folks save money and energy and give them more time with their families and friends.”

The bill would allow senior citizens over the age of 70 to opt out of jury duty, though senior citizens who want to serve on juries would still be allowed to do so.

According to elderlawanswers.com, Mississippi and South Carolina allow seniors to be exempted or excused from jury duty when they are 65, followed by 70 in Alabama, Alaska, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. North Carolina and Wyoming allow an exemption starting at 72 years of age followed by an exemption at 75 years of age in Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Hawaii and South Dakota begin exempting senior citizens from jury duty when they turn 80.

“Every year, thousands of Pennsylvanians attend jury duty throughout the state, lending their diverse voices to numerous cases. Often, those attending jury duty must find their own transportation, journey to the courthouse, and attend long hearings. For our older citizens, this can be exhausting. Having done their civic duty for decades, older individuals deserve a break from the stress of being called for jury duty,” Snyder wrote in her legislative memorandum.