§ 56 — Special awards of compensation and reimbursement; expenses; special arrangements

Section 56. Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, the court shall have authority to make special awards of compensation and reimbursement to any juror or to any other person on behalf of a juror based on unusual circumstances, or awards of compensation and reimbursement for the fair administration of this chapter. The court may provide for reasonable costs and expenses including food, lodging, transportation, and amenities of sequestered jurors. The court may make special arrangements for handicapped and elderly jurors or handicapped and elderly dependents of jurors. The court may provide for the security, comfort, or emergency medical services for jurors. The court may reimburse a juror for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred because of personal injury or property loss suffered by the juror while performing juror service upon a finding that the commonwealth is liable therefor or that it is in the best interests of the administration of the jury system of the commonwealth to do so.