House File 598 - Introduced



                                       HOUSE FILE       
                                       BY  COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

                                           (SUCCESSOR TO HSB 65)


    Passed House, Date               Passed Senate,  Date             
    Vote:  Ayes        Nays           Vote:  Ayes        Nays         
                 Approved                            

                                      A BILL FOR

  1 An Act relating to jury service compensation, reimbursement, and
  2    confidentiality.
  3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
  4 TLSB 1383HV 82
  5 jm/cf/24

PAG LIN



  1  1    Section 1.  Section 607A.8, Code 2007, is amended by
  1  2 striking the section and inserting in lieu thereof the
  1  3 following:
  1  4    607A.8  FEES AND EXPENSES FOR JURORS.
  1  5    1.  A grand juror and a petit juror in all courts shall
  1  6 receive thirty dollars as compensation for each day's service
  1  7 or attendance, including attendance required for the purpose
  1  8 of being considered for service.  The supreme court may adopt
  1  9 rules that allow additional compensation for jurors whose
  1 10 attendance and service exceeds seven days.
  1 11    2.  A grand juror and a petit juror in all courts shall
  1 12 receive reimbursement for mileage expenses at the rate
  1 13 specified in section 602.1509 for each mile traveled each day
  1 14 to and from the residence of the juror to the place of service
  1 15 or attendance, and shall receive reimbursement for actual
  1 16 expenses of parking, as determined by the clerk of the
  1 17 district court.  A juror who is a person with a disability may
  1 18 receive reimbursement for the costs of alternate
  1 19 transportation from the residence of the juror to the place of
  1 20 service or attendance.  A juror shall not receive
  1 21 reimbursement for mileage expenses or actual expenses of
  1 22 parking when the juror travels in a vehicle for which another
  1 23 juror is receiving reimbursement for mileage and parking
  1 24 expenses.
  1 25    3.  A grand juror or a petit juror in all courts may waive
  1 26 the right of the juror to receive compensation under
  1 27 subsection 1 or reimbursement under subsection 2.
  1 28    Sec. 2.  NEW SECTION.  607A.47  JUROR QUESTIONNAIRE.
  1 29    The court may, on its own motion, or upon the motion of a
  1 30 party to the case or upon the request of a juror, order the
  1 31 sealing or partial sealing of a completed juror questionnaire,
  1 32 if the court finds that it is necessary to protect the safety
  1 33 or privacy of a juror or a family member of a juror.
  1 34                           EXPLANATION
  1 35    This bill relates to jury service including compensation,
  2  1 reimbursement, and confidentiality.
  2  2    The bill raises juror compensation from $10 to $30 for each
  2  3 day of service or attendance, including attendance required
  2  4 for the purpose of being considered for service.
  2  5    The bill does not change juror reimbursement rates for each
  2  6 mile traveled to and from the residence of the juror to the
  2  7 place of service or attendance.
  2  8    The bill permits a juror to waive the right of the juror to
  2  9 receive compensation or reimbursement for service or
  2 10 attendance.
  2 11    The bill also provides that the court may seal or partially
  2 12 seal a jury questionnaire if the court finds it necessary to
  2 13 protect the safety or privacy of a juror or a family member of
  2 14 a juror.
  2 15 LSB 1383HV 82
  2 16 jm:rj/cf/24