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(File | MLive.com)

LANSING, MI -- Michigan doctors could be excused from jury duty to care for a critically-ill patient, if legislation pending in the Michigan Legislature is signed into law.

House Bill 4869 would create a new exception in state law allowing physicians to postpone jury duty during a period they have "one or more patients with immediate, imminent and life-threatening health issues."

The bill, sponsored by State Rep. Andy Schor, D-Lansing, was passed 95 to 14 by the state House on March 16.

If signed into law, it would allow a postponement of jury duty for three months to a year.

In order to obtain the postponement, a physician would first need to submit a letter outlining the reasons for the request.

A first draft of the bill would have allowed physicians with critically ill patients an exemption from jury duty. That language was changed to "postponement" in the amended version of the bill approved by the House.

Key arguments for Schor's bill focus on the potentially devastating effects of delays in treatment.

Jody Vanderveen was one of those who spoke in support of the bill.

In a letter to state lawmakers, Vanderveen explained that she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2013 and that, earlier this year, her oncologist was called for jury duty.

"Fortunately she was not selected as a juror, but had she been, the effect on her patients would have been even more devastating," she wrote. "My concerns may seem exaggerated to some but when you are diagnosed with a disease with a six month survival rate of 50 percent and a five year survival rate of 5 percent, your fear and anxiety are all consuming. The continuity of the physician/patient relationship is vital."

Opponents of the legislation have expressed concern for setting a precedent of special treatment for a single profession.

Among the 14 state lawmakers voting against the bill Wednesday was state Rep. Charles Brunner, D-Bay City.

Brunner said he understands the reasoning behind the bill, but takes issue with creating a "special carve-out" for members of an individual profession.

"I certainly agree that they should be able to get out of jury duty," he said. "I just don't like going down this road of saying one person is more important than another. A lot of people have different situations that are very, very important."

Brunner said adding individual exemptions to the law also creates the potential for abuse.

Judges already have the ability and authority to exercise reasonable discretion in excusing jurors from a case. Critics of the bill believe discretion should be relied on for situations like a doctor with a critically-ill patient.

Rep. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan, joined Brunner in voting against the bill.

"To create these broad-based exemptions does not allow the judge to use the proper level of discretion," McBroom said. "I've been consistent on this issue in previous terms on similar bills."

All states have certain basic requirements for potential jurors and list certain instances in which a citizen may be excused from jury duty.

The only exemptions allowed under current Michigan law are for potential jurors who are 70 or older and for nursing mothers.

Several states, including Hawaii and Maine, allow practicing physicians to claim exemptions from jury duty. About 26 states have no exemptions for any profession, according to a House Fiscal Agency analysis of the bill.

Groups who have expressed support for the bill include the American Cancer Action Network, the Michigan Osteopathic Association and the Michigan Society of Hematology and Oncology. The Michigan District Judges Association opposes the bill.

The bill has been assigned to the Michigan Senate's Committee on Judiciary.

Mark Tower covers government and politics for MLive. Contact him at 989-284-4807, by email at mtower@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.