(6-27-23) COLUMBUS – Members of the Ohio House of Representatives have supported mothers by passing State Representatives Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) and Angie King’s (R-Celina) legislation to exempt nursing mothers from jury duty.

Under current law, there are only a few exemptions for mothers and jurors that are suffering from a disease or illness. House Bill 34 will create a new exemption for breastfeeding mothers to be excused from jury duty. 

Klopfenstein said –

“Our legislation seeks to ease the burden on mothers by establishing a jury duty exemption for a mother with a child under the age of one and is breastfeeding. To be excused, all a mother would need to do is submit a signed affidavit.”

Similar legislation exists in 18 other states. The measure is a simple fix that supports families.

King said –

“This early bonding time between mother and child is critical to the physical, emotional and mental growth. The benefits of nursing go well beyond nourishment and are beneficial to the health of both the child and mother.”

The legislation heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

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State Representative Roy Klopfenstein was elected in November 2022 to the Ohio House of Representatives. He represents the 82nd House District, serving residents of Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert and Defiance counties.

State Representative Angie King was elected in November 2022 to the Ohio House of Representatives. She represents the 84th House District, serving residents of Mercer, Darke and Auglaize counties.

For more information, contact Representative King’s office atrep84@ohiohouse.gov.

OR

Contact Representative Klopfensteins’ office atrep82@ohiohouse.gov.