Kentuckians ages 70 and older could soon be able to opt out of jury duty after legislation to that effect has made it out of the Senate and House.
Christian Circuit Judge John Atkins asked Senator Whitney Westerfield to begin the process of drafting a bill on the matter and it became House Bill 339, sponsored by Representative Amy Neighbors of Edmonton.
If Governor Andy Beshear signs the bill, Judge Atkins says it will be up to those called for jury duty whether they want to use the exemption if they’re over 70.
If the bill becomes law, the judge says state court officials will be amending the jury summons forms to reflect the change.
It passed the House by an 87-4 vote, with all local legislators in favor, and made it out of the Senate on a 21-16 vote.
Senator Westerfield says the way the vote went in the Senate makes him unsure on whether Governor Beshear will sign the measure and gives him some concern over whether the governor could veto the legislation.