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PRESS RELEASE

Senate passes Sen. Crowley’s juror fee bills

 

STATE HOUSE – The Rhode Senate passed two pieces of legislation relating to juror fees sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth A. Crowley (D-Dist. 16, Central Falls, Pawtucket).  The bills now head to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The first bill (2020-S 2266) passed by the Senate raises juror's fees for each day's attendance on the Superior Court from $15.00 per day to $25.00 per day, commencing July 1, 2020.  The wage would increase to $35.00 per day commencing July 1, 2021 and thereafter.

“Although it’s our civic duty and responsibility to serve on a jury when called, the truth is that jury duty can be a cumbersome burden for many, especially those who are losing out on wages while they take time off from work to serve,” said Senator Crowley.  “My hope is that this legislation will help ease that burden for those that want to serve their community but are also experiencing hard financial times when every single paycheck counts.”

The second bill (2020-S 2267) allows jurors to donate their juror fees to the state into the general fund.

“This bill is necessary because the Judiciary told us that they receive requests to donate or waive juror fees from some of our more civically-minded citizens, but, there is currently no legal way or process to do so.  The legislation creates that process so that those who wish to donate their juror fees back to the state are able to waive their juror fee,” said Senator Crowley.

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For an electronic version of this and all press releases published by the Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau, please visit our website at www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease.

 

 

                                                                                                                 

 

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