HB 1081

 26.689.12  101st Legislative Session  1081
                                         2026 South Dakota Legislature
                                                 House Bill 1081
 Introduced by: Representative Sjaarda
1 An Act to exempt certain individuals from, and require specific notice for, jury duty.
2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
3 Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 16-13:
4A licensed health care provider who is providing medical care to a pregnant woman
5     or an individual with a serious medical condition is exempt from jury duty if, within ten
6     days of receiving a summons for jury duty, the provider submits to the clerk of court a
7     written request for exemption and written documentation stating:
8     (1)     No equally qualified individual is available to fulfill the provider's job duties; and
9     (2)     The provider's absence from medical practice may, with regard to the provider's
10patient:
11(a)     Result in hardship to the patient;
12(b)     Complicate or inhibit the patient's access to required medical care;
13(c)     Result in the patient experiencing uncontrolled pain;
14(d)     Result in the worsening of the patient's disease processes; or
15(e)     Potentially result in the death of the patient.
16For the purposes of this section, "licensed health care provider" means a licensed
17     physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, or nurse midwife.
18 Section 2. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 16-13:
19A public safety worker is exempt from jury duty if, within ten days of receiving a
20     summons for jury duty, the worker submits to the clerk of court a written request for
21     exemption and written documentation stating:
22     (1)     No equally qualified individual is available to fulfill the worker's job duties; and
23     (2)     The worker's absence from regular job duties may pose a risk to the health and
24safety of the public.
                                                                                  Underscores indicate new language.
                                                                                Overstrikes indicate deleted language.
 26.689.12  2  1081
1For the purposes of this section, "public safety worker" means a law enforcement
2    officer as defined by § 23-3-27, firefighter, hazardous and disaster response team
3    member, or emergency medical service personnel.
4 Section 3. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 16-13:
5An individual is exempt from jury duty if, within ten days of receiving a summons
6    for jury duty, the individual submits to the clerk of court a written request for exemption
7    and written documentation stating:
8    (1)      The requesting individual is solely responsible for the daily care of another
9individual with a permanent disability;
10    (2)      The individual with a permanent disability lives in the requesting individual's
11household; and
12    (3)      The performance of jury service by the requesting individual would result in
13substantial risk of injury to the health of the individual with a permanent disability.
14This section does not apply to an individual who is regularly employed at a location
15    other than the person's household.
16 Section 4. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 16-13:
17In addition to the notice required by § 16-13-34, the clerk of courts shall notify a
18    juror of the specific date on which the juror is required to physically appear before the
19    court for jury service on a grand or petit jury, at least fourteen days prior to that date.
                                                                                 Underscores indicate new language.
                                                                               Overstrikes indicate deleted language.