Dear Senator (or Representative ) ___________,

Please consider proposing a family friendly jury duty bill that would allow full-time parents of children under the age of 6 to defer their jury duty summons.

I am the primary caregiver of my five (5) children, ranging in age from 5 months to 9 years.  My husband and I have chosen for me to stay at home with them at this time in their young lives.  I do not work outside the home. 

Imagine with me, the hardship that would occur should I be called for, and asked to serve on jury duty.

First, I would have to arrange childcare (at the last minute) for 3 of the children.  This alone would be a tremendous burden.  Secondly, if any of the drop-in day care centers had availability, the cost is prohibitive, especially on one income.  Thirdly, my children would be in the care of complete strangers.

I am also nursing my five-month old infant.  She does not take a bottle.  I would have to force her to take a bottle, and rent a pump (also costly) to be able to away from her.  I would have to be excused at least every three to four hours, and find a private place (in a court house) to express my milk.

While most judges would be sensitive to this situation, all are not.  There needs to be a state-wide law to protect young children and their full-time mothers (or fathers) from what would be a horrifying situation.

It is not my desire as a citizen of the United States of America to ignore my civic responsibility, only to delay it a few years.  My primary responsibility is to my young children and to that end, my husband and I have already made sacrifices.

I’m sure you’ll agree that  legislation requiring family friendly policies for jury duty service would benefit Kentucky’s families.  Please endorse this positive, humane legislation.

Sincerely,

Concern:  Jury Duty logistics for nursing mothers and/or a large families