This bill amends the Revised Judicature Act of 1961 by updating the qualifications for jurors and introducing new provisions regarding juror disqualification and protections against discrimination in jury selection. Key changes include the requirement that jurors must not be currently incarcerated or on probation or parole, rather than simply not having a felony conviction. Additionally, individuals over 70 years of age, nursing mothers, and military service members or their spouses can claim exemptions from jury service, with the language specifying that these individuals must be "exempted" upon request.

The bill also introduces new sections that prohibit disqualifying jurors based solely on their criminal records, unless the conviction is for a crime similar to the one being tried. It establishes protections against the improper exclusion of jurors based on their "protected status," as defined by the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act. The court is tasked with evaluating the reasons for peremptory challenges and may deny them if they appear to be based on protected status. The bill aims to address historical discrimination in jury selection processes and ensure a fairer representation of jurors.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 600.1307