BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Breastfeeding women in Alabama will be excused from jury duty, the state’s highest court ordered unanimously on Friday, in response to public outcry from a mother who said that she was threatened with child protective services for bringing her nursing infant into court.

Alabama mothers react to supreme court ruling excusing breastfeeding mothers from jury duty

Before Friday’s decision, there were laws in Alabama excusing prospective jurors because of certain health concerns, but breastfeeding wasn’t included.

Part of the order read, ‘A nursing mother of an infant child clearly qualifies for the excuse from jury service." It goes on to say “other competent evidence” from a prospective juror seeking to be excused must be submitted telephone, electronic mail, or writing in advance of the prospective juror’s summoned date."

Hoover, is working to prefile a bill that would excuse nursing mothers from serving on a jury. DuBose said she was motivated to work on this legislation after hearing the story of Kandace Brown, the most recent of several Alabama mothers who claim they were harassed and threatened by Jefferson County judges for bringing breastfeeding babies with them for jury

Kandace Brown, a mother of five, faced a challenging situation when she was summoned for jury duty while exclusively brea

Sorrell said Alabama currently has no law exempting nursing mothers from jury duty. Alabama House Representative Susan Dubose said after hearing Brown’s story she plans to file a bill regarding this at the 2025 Legislative Session.

Michael and Kristine Barnett adopted Natalia Grace and later successfully petitioned a court to legally re-age her, claiming she was really an adult.