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Committee approves bill to offer juror counseling after traumatic trials
Summary
The House Judiciary Committee approved a bill to require courts to offer traumatic-event counseling to jurors in certain cases. Supporters argued jurors perform a vital civic duty and may be exposed to disturbing evidence; opponents said the proposal expands government responsibilities. The committee voted 11-3 in favor.
The House Judiciary Committee voted 11-3 on May 20 to recommend passage of House Bill 1047, which would authorize courts to offer counseling to jurors exposed to traumatic or graphic evidence.
Supporters said jurors are compelled by law to serve and may face material that could cause emotional harm. Representative McLeod, Representative Johnston and others described specialized programs — similar to debriefings for first responders — as modest, targeted support for jurors returning to daily life after difficult cases. Representative Satrim and Travis Fink of the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents also praised specialized dockets and treatment-focused responses to participants’ needs.
Opponents said the change expands government responsibilities and questioned whether it is the state’s role to provide such counseling. Representative Vetter said the proposal was unnecessary and unlikely to have measurable benefit; Representative Wolf expressed similar reservations.
The committee took a roll-call vote. Voting yes: Chairman Killemin; Vice Chair Carls; Representative Christiansen; Representative Hoverson; Representative Johnston; Representative McLeod; Representative Olson; Representative Satrim; Representative Twite; Representative Van Winkle; Representative Schneider. Voting no: Vice Chair Vetter; Representative Henderson; Representative Wolf. The motion passed 11 yes, 3 no. The bill carries a small fiscal note for counseling services ($10,000 first biennium, $12,000 second biennium) that committee discussion acknowledged and directed bill carriers to include when taking the bill forward.
