S 2476119th CongressIn Committee

Disability and Age in Jury Service Nondiscrimination Act

Introduced: Jul 28, 2025

Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] (D-Massachusetts)

Civil Rights & Justice

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill would strengthen nondiscrimination protections for federal jury service by prohibiting exclusion from grand and petit juries on the basis of disability or age. It moves the assessment of eligibility away from a blanket infirmity standard toward a disability standard that allows for reasonable accommodations. Specifically, it would replace the current disqualification criterion “infirmity” with “disability that cannot be reasonably accommodated,” and it would add a provision ensuring that individuals who could meet jury qualifications with reasonable accommodation cannot be disqualified from serving. In short, people with disabilities (and age considerations) would be eligible to serve if accommodations can enable their participation.

Key Points

1Short title: Disability and Age in Jury Service Nondiscrimination Act.
2Section 1862 amendment: Adds disability and age to the list of protected characteristics in relation to jury service (alongside origin, etc.).
3Section 1865(b)(4) change: Replaces the rule that relies on “infirmity” with “disability that cannot be reasonably accommodated.”
4New subsection 1865(c): Prohibits disqualification from grand and petit juries on account of disability if the person would be qualified with reasonable accommodation.
5Scope: Applies to district court juries (both grand and petit) and emphasizes accommodation as a factor in eligibility rather than automatic exclusion.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Potential federal jurors with disabilities and older individuals who might otherwise be excluded; federal jury pools nationwide.Secondary group/area affected: Federal courts and jury administration, including judges, clerks, and facilities that would need to provide or facilitate reasonable accommodations (e.g., accessible venues, assistive services, transportation considerations).Additional impacts:- Aligns jury service with general nondiscrimination norms and disability rights principles (e.g., reasonable accommodation concepts).- May trigger administrative and budget considerations to implement or expand accommodations.- Could influence how courts assess eligibility and handle voir dire, scheduling, and evidence presentation for accommodated jurors.- Might generate ongoing interpretation questions about what counts as a “reasonable accommodation” and how age factors intersect with disability in practice.The bill’s text does not define “reasonable accommodation” or specify which accommodations are required; those would typically be shaped by case law and regulatory guidance.As introduced, the bill would need passage by both chambers and signature into law to take effect.

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