HF 2701 (LSB 6199HZ (1) 90)

HOUSE FILE 2701

BY  COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

(SUCCESSOR TO HF 2587)
(SUCCESSOR TO HF 2111)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to juries, including juror compensation and employer conduct, and making penalties applicable.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 607A.8, subsection 1, Code 2024, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  A grand juror and a petit juror in all courts shall receive thirty seventy-five dollars as compensation for each day’s service or attendance, including attendance required for the purpose of being considered for service. The supreme court may shall adopt rules that allow additional compensation for jurors whose attendance and service exceeds seven days to receive ninety-five dollars as compensation for each day’s service or attendance after the seventh day of service or attendance, including attendance required for the purpose of being considered for service.
    Sec. 2.  Section 607A.45, Code 2024, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  1A.  An employer shall not require an employee to perform work for the employer within ten hours of the time the employee is required to report for any actual or prospective jury service. An employer shall not deprive an employee of employment or threaten or otherwise coerce an employee with respect to the employee’s employment because the employee exercises the employee’s right to be excused from work pursuant to this subsection. An employer who violates this subsection commits contempt.
    Sec. 3.  Section 607A.45, subsection 2, Code 2024, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  If an employer discharges an employee in violation of subsection 1 or 1A, the employee may within sixty days of the discharge bring a civil action for the recovery of wages lost as a result of the violation and for an order requiring the reinstatement of the employee. Damages recoverable shall not exceed lost wages for a period of six weeks. If the employee prevails, the employee shall be allowed reasonable attorney fees as determined by the court.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill provides that a grand juror and a petit juror in all courts shall receive $75 as compensation for each day’s service or attendance. Under current law, a juror is entitled to $30 for each day’s service or attendance. The bill also requires the supreme court to adopt rules that allow juror compensation for service or attendance over seven days to be increased to $95 per day after the seventh day of service or attendance.
   The bill prohibits an employer from requiring an employee to work within 10 hours of the time the employee is required to report for juror service or attendance. An employer who violates this provision commits contempt. An employee may bring a civil action within 60 days of the violation for lost wages and an order for reinstatement. An employee who prevails can recover lost wages not to exceed six weeks of pay and reasonable attorney fees. These are the same remedies authorized under current law for other violations by an employer with respect to a juror.