By CalMatters.org –
Starting Jan. 1, 2028, Californians ages 80 and older can permanently opt out of jury service because of a medical condition without needing a note from a health care provider.
The change comes after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1359 on Monday. The law allows seniors to request a permanent exemption by attesting that they have an impairment that makes them unable to perform jury service. Additional medical documentation will not be required. Seniors who still want to serve on a jury may do so.
Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens, D-Cupertino, said he introduced the bill after a constituent, Dianne McKenna, a former Santa Clara County supervisor, told him about the difficulties she faced helping her elderly husband obtain an exemption from jury service.
“Seniors are great jurists that can and will continue to serve if they’re willing and able to,” Ahrens said in an email to CalMatters. “But if they cannot, they will no longer have to jump through hoops to permanently opt out.”
Unlike some other states, including Florida and Texas, California does not have a blanket age exemption from jury service. The exemption age is 70 in Florida and 75 in Texas.
Under current California law, people 70 and older can be excused from jury service because of a medical impairment without a doctor’s note. However, they must notify their local jury office in writing that they are unable to serve. The exemption is only for that particular summons, meaning residents must repeat the process each time they are selected for jury service.
Supporters of the measure say repeatedly seeking an exemption can create significant stress for older adults, particularly those with mobility issues or chronic health conditions, as well as those who do not regularly have access to a computer or the internet.
A 2025 report by the Public Policy Institute of California found that about one-third of adults over 80 have difficulty staying at home without assistance, while one in five have limitations with self-care.
The measure could be particularly beneficial for people living with Alzheimer’s disease who do not have a caretaker to assist them, said Andrew Mendoza, director of state affairs for the Alzheimer’s Association, during a June hearing.
“This bill can assist vulnerable populations avoid what would otherwise be a stressful process to obtain documents and explain their condition as a disability during a time of great circumstantial change,” Mendoza said.
CalMatters is a nonpartisan and nonprofit news organization bringing Californians stories that probe, explain and explore solutions to quality of life issues while holding our leaders accountable. Visit CalMatters.org.
