Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday signed SB76, otherwise known as Parker’s Law, which exempts nursing mothers from jury duty for up to two years.

The new law codifies 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,” said bill sponsor Sen. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, 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.

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 a written statement and a certificate of birth or other government document or medical record certifying the birth of the child a mother is nursing, 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 Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover, who sponsored the House version of the bill, for their work on this legislation.

“I am just grateful that no other mother and baby will have a similar situation like ours again,” she said.

“That was the goal through it all.”