California has a long list of new laws taking effect in 2028, bringing changes that range from major statewide policies to smaller rules that could affect everyday life. And for anyone who has ever had to deal with jury duty, one of those changes will make the process of requesting an exemption from jury service a little simpler.
Starting January 1, 2028, Californians ages 80 and older will be able to request a permanent medical excuse from jury service without providing a doctor’s note. The change comes from Assembly Bill 1359, which was signed into law on September 14, 2026.
What does the new jury duty law change?
California law (AB 1359) gives seniors aged 80 and older a simpler way to be permanently excused from jury duty if health issues make serving too difficult. If a physical or mental health condition prevents you from serving, the process will be straightforward:
- Receive your jury summons in the mail.
- Follow the court’s instructions for requesting a health excuse.
- Submit a simple written statement letting the jury commissioner know that a health impairment permanently prevents you from serving.
No doctor’s note or medical records are required. Once the court receives your written statement, your excuse is permanent, meaning you will not have to apply again for future summonses.
Keep in mind, this excuse is completely voluntary. Seniors 80 and older who are able and willing to serve on a jury are still welcome to do so.
What about Californians under the age of 80?
This does not mean everyone over 70 currently has to wait until 80 for a medical excuse. California already allows people 70 and older to request an excuse from jury service because of a physical or mental impairment without providing medical verification.
However, under the current system, that excuse generally applies to the particular summons rather than permanently removing someone from the jury pool. For example, the Los Angeles Superior Court currently allows people to request an excuse through the My Jury Duty Portal or by following the instructions on their summons.
