Maryland HB 156: Courts - Jury Service - Disqualification

Bill Text

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0156*

HOUSE BILL 156
D1 3lr1162
HB 74/22 – JUD CF SB 97
By: Delegate Williams
Introduced and read first time: January 16, 2023
Assigned to: Judiciary

A BILL ENTITLED

AN ACT concerning 1

Courts – Jury Service – Disqualification 2

FOR the purpose of altering the circumstances under which an individual who has been 3
convicted of a crime is not qualified for jury service; and generally relating to jury 4
service. 5

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 6
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 7
Section 8–103 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 10

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 11
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 12

Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 13

8–103. 14

(a) Notwithstanding § 8–102 of this subtitle, an individual qualifies for jury 15
service for a county only if the individual: 16

(1) Is an adult as of the day selected as a prospective juror; 17

(2) Is a citizen of the United States; and 18

(3) Resides in the county as of the day sworn as a juror. 19

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section and subject to the federal 20
Americans with Disabilities Act, an individual is not qualified for jury service if the 21
individual: 22

2 HOUSE BILL 156

(1) Cannot comprehend spoken English or speak English; 1

(2) Cannot comprehend written English, read English, or write English 2
proficiently enough to complete a juror qualification form satisfactorily; 3

(3) Has a disability that, as documented by a health care provider’s 4
certification, prevents the individual from providing satisfactory jury service; 5

(4) Has been convicted, in a federal or State court of record, of a crime 6
punishable by imprisonment exceeding 1 year and [received a sentence of imprisonment 7
for more than 1 year] IS CURRENTLY SERVING THE SENTENCE IMPOSED FOR THE 8
CONVICTION, INCLUDING A TERM OF PROBATION; or 9

(5) Has a charge pending, in a federal or State court of record, for a crime 10
punishable by imprisonment exceeding 1 year. 11

[(c) An individual qualifies for jury service notwithstanding a disqualifying 12
conviction under subsection (b)(4) of this section if the individual is pardoned.] 13

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 14
October 1, 2023. 15