This bill amends New Jersey law to excuse individuals who are 70 years of age or older from jury service. The current law specifies that only those 75 years of age or older are eligible for such an excuse. The bill retains the other existing criteria for being excused from jury duty, which include having served as a juror in the last three years, experiencing severe hardship, or being a member of a volunteer fire department or first aid squad.

The amendment to N.J.S.2B:20-10 replaces the age threshold for exemption from 75 to 70 years, thereby broadening the eligibility for jury service exemptions. This change aims to alleviate the burden of jury duty on older individuals, recognizing the potential challenges they may face in fulfilling this civic responsibility. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage.