New Jersey legislation · 2026-2027 Regular Session
New Jersey A4897: Holistic Representation Model-establish in Office of Public Defender
Status: In committee, October 15, 2026
Establishes "New Jersey Holistic Representation Model" in Office of Public Defender.
What the bill says
An Act concerning representation by the Office of the Public Defender and supplementing chapter 158A of Title 2A of the New Jersey Statutes.
From the introduced text, May 7, 2026:
An Act concerning representation by the Office of the Public Defender and supplementing chapter 158A of Title 2A of the New Jersey Statutes. Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the New Jersey Holistic Representation Act. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that in November 2024, the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender announced, in conjunction with the national nonprofit entity, Partners for Justice, the creation of a program aimed at enhancing collaborative, holistic representation, known as holistic defense, for individuals involved in the criminal justice system. The initiative launched as a pilot program in Atlantic, Monmouth, and Hudson counties. The Public Defender announcement declared, citing remarks from former Governor Phillip Murphy, This new partnership between the Office of the Public Defender and Partners for Justice will help bridge gaps between legal and personal needs for individuals involved in our criminal defense system. Holistic defense representation pairs public defender staff attorneys with trained non-attorney social service professionals including social workers and case workers, who are able to work closely with clients to address underlying issues contributing to the clients involvement in the criminal justice system. The collaborative process frees the attorney advocate to focus exclusively on the legal issues involved …
Sponsors
- Gary S. Schaer (D, 36) · primary sponsor
- Kenyatta Stewart (D, 35) · primary sponsor
- Ellen J. Park (D, 37) · primary sponsor
- Melinda Kane (D, 6)
- Luanne M. Peterpaul, Esq. (D, 11)
- Gabriel Rodriguez (D, 33)
- William B. Sampson, IV (D, 31)
- Joe Danielsen (D, 17)
- Katie Brennan (D, 32)
- Annette Quijano (D, 20)
- Maureen Rowan (D, 2)
- Ravi S. Bhalla (D, 32)
Latest actions
- : REP REF ASL
- : INT 1RA REF AJU
Votes
- Assembly Judiciary Committee: Reported favorably (October 15, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: JUDICIARY
Common questions
- What is A4897?
- A4897 is a bill in the New Jersey Legislature (2026-2027 Regular Session): Holistic Representation Model-establish in Office of Public Defender.
- What does A4897 do?
- In its own words: An Act concerning representation by the Office of the Public Defender and supplementing chapter 158A of Title 2A of the New Jersey Statutes.
- What is the status of A4897?
- In committee as of October 15, 2026. Latest action: REP REF ASL (October 15, 2026).
- Who sponsored A4897?
- Gary S. Schaer (D, 36), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for A4897?
- On the New Jersey Legislature website: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A4897
Source: official New Jersey record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.