H.B. No. 745 proposes an amendment to Section 62.106(a) of the Government Code, introducing new exemptions from jury service for certain individuals. Specifically, the bill adds provisions that allow a victim or a close relative of a deceased crime victim to be exempt from jury duty if they have testified in a court proceeding related to the offense and would experience severe anxiety or post-traumatic stress from attending further court proceedings. This new exemption is in addition to existing exemptions for individuals over 75, those with childcare responsibilities, students, military personnel, and others.

The bill also includes a deletion of the previous exemption for individuals who served as petit jurors in a county with a population of at least 250,000 during the three years preceding their jury summons. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will only apply to individuals summoned for jury service on or after that date, ensuring that those summoned before this date will still be governed by the existing laws.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 62.106 (Government Code 62)
House Committee Report: Government Code 62.106 (Government Code 62)
Engrossed: Government Code 62.106 (Government Code 62)