The Alabama state Senate version of Parker’s Law, which would exempt nursing mothers from jury duty for up to two years, is headed to back to the Senate for final approval before it can go to Gov. Kay Ivey’s desk.

Only one meeting day remains for Alabama’s 2025 legislative session.

The House on Wednesday approved SB76, brought forth by Sen. April Weaver’s, R-Brierfield, by a vote of 101 yays and 0 nays.

Although the Senate approved an earlier version, the bill has since been amended by the House Judiciary Committee to require not only a written statement, but also a certificate of birth or other government document or medical record certifying the birth of the child a mother is nursing before she can be excused from jury duty.

Before it can go to Ivey’s desk, the Senate must approve the amended version of the bill.

If signed, SB76 would codify what was established by an administrative order passed down from the Alabama Supreme Court earlier this year which states “that a nursing mother of an infant child clearly qualifies for the excuse from jury service” under state judicial code.

“We know that administrative rules can be easily reversed with the stroke of a pen,” Weaver said previously.

“We just feel that this gives them [nursing mothers] the protection that they need.”

This legislation comes in response to claims from several Alabama mothers that they were harassed and threatened by Jefferson County judges for bringing breastfeeding babies with them for jury duty.

Kandace Brown said earlier this year that she was even threatened with DHR for bringing in her three-month-old daughter Parker.

And this issue is not confined to Jefferson County, according to Weaver.

She said previously that she had received at least 40 calls from nursing mothers who were going to be made to serve on a jury in Alabama.

Under SB76, if a mother can provide to the court the two required documents, she would be exempt for up to 24 months, according to the bill’s text.

After the two years are up, the mother may be called to reappear for jury duty.

Brown thanked Weaver and DuBose Wednesday for their work on this legislation, and said she is eager to see the bill pass.

“I am so thankful to see how our state leaders saw a need for Alabama families and took all the necessary actions to ensure our rights and protection,” she said.