The bill amends Section 9-9-1.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 9-9 entitled "Jury Lists" to update the qualifications of jurors. The bill specifies that a person is qualified to serve as a juror if they are a U.S. citizen, a resident of Rhode Island, at least 18 years of age, able to understand and participate in court proceedings, and physically and mentally capable of performing juror duties. The bill inserts new language stating that no person shall be allowed to serve as a juror if they have been lawfully adjudicated to be non compos mentis or are serving a sentence of confinement at a correctional facility as a consequence of a felony conviction.

The bill also deletes the previous provision that barred anyone convicted of a felony from serving as a juror until they had completed their sentence, served or suspended, and any parole or probation, regardless of a nolo contendere plea. Additionally, the bill clarifies that a person with a disability should not be deemed ineligible to serve as a juror solely based on their disability, provided they meet the other qualifications and can serve with reasonable accommodations if necessary. The act would take effect upon passage and would allow persons who are on parole, a suspended sentence, or on probation to serve on juries.

Statutes affected:
812: 9-9-1.1