EXCUSE OF JUROR FOR RELIGIOUS HOLY DAY

(a) In this section: (1) "Religious organization" means an organization that meets the standards for qualification as a religious organization under Section 11.20, Tax Code. (2) "Religious holy day" means a day on which the tenets of a religious organization prohibit its members from participating in secular activities, such as court proceedings. (b) If a prospective juror is required to appear at a court proceeding on a religious holy day observed by the prospective juror, the court or the court's designee shall release the prospective juror from jury service entirely or until another day of the term. If the court determines that a term of a court proceeding may extend to cover a day on which a religious holy day is observed by the prospective juror, the court or the court's designee shall release the prospective juror from jury service entirely or until another day of the term. (c) A prospective juror who seeks to be released from jury service may be required to file with the court an affidavit stating: (1) the grounds for the release; and (2) that the juror holds religious beliefs that prohibit him from taking part in a court proceeding on the day for which the release from jury duty is sought.