Introduction of the District of Columbia Local Juror Non-Discrimination Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the District of Columbia Local Juror Non-Discrimination Act of 2021. This bill would clarify that D.C. residents may not be excluded or disqualified from jury service in the D.C. Superior Court based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Specifically, my bill would clarify that ``sex,'' which is a protected class under the non-discrimination law that applies to jurors in the D.C. Superior Court, includes sexual orientation and gender identity. Under the Home Rule Act, Congress has exclusive jurisdiction over title 11 of the D.C. Code (relating to organization and jurisdiction of the local D.C. courts).

The District has one of the strongest non-discrimination laws in the country, including protecting individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity. However, under the Home Rule Act, the District does not have the authority to make this non-discrimination law applicable to jurors in the D.C. Superior Court. Therefore, until the District is given complete control over the organization and jurisdiction of its local courts, an act of Congress is required to make this important change to protect the rights of all D.C. residents. This bill is necessary to protect jurors in the D.C. Superior Court from discrimination.

My bill is similar to the Juror Non-Discrimination Act of 2021 (H.R. 1140), which would provide the same protections for jurors in federal court. I am a proud cosponsor of that bill.

I urge my colleagues to support this important bill.

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