This bill amends the existing laws regarding jury lists and qualifications in Rhode Island by expanding the criteria for individuals who are liable to serve as jurors. It adds individuals receiving public assistance benefits, as defined in 40-6-1, to the list of those eligible for jury service, alongside existing categories such as citizens, residents, and those with specific identification or tax filing statuses.

The bill mandates that the Department of Human Services forward the names of all individuals receiving public assistance benefits to the jury commissioner on a yearly basis for the purpose of compiling jury lists. Additionally, it updates the confidentiality provisions related to public assistance records, allowing the director of the Department of Human Services or their authorized agents to provide the jury commissioner with the names and addresses of public assistance recipients, strictly for the purpose of jury list compilation.

This act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
8079: 40-6-12