New Jersey legislation · 2026-2027 Regular Session
New Jersey A5297: Arbitration proceedings-req parties represented by attorneys, cert circumstances
Status: Passed one chamber, October 29, 2026
Requires parties in arbitration hearings to be represented by attorneys in certain circumstances.
What the bill says
An Act concerning arbitration hearings and supplementing P.L.1983, c.358 (C.39:6A-24 et seq.).
From the introduced text, June 23, 2026:
An Act concerning arbitration hearings and supplementing P.L.1983, c.358 (C.39:6A-24 et seq.). Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. a. A party to an arbitration hearing concerning a claim for personal injury protection benefits as established by section 24 of P.L.1998, c.21 (C.39:6A-5.1) shall be represented by an attorney licensed to practice law in the State, retained at the partys own expense. b. This section shall not apply to a pro se litigant, who is a litigant appearing on the litigants own behalf. 2. This act shall take effect on the 90th day next following the date of enactment and shall apply to arbitration hearings that are initiated on or after that date. STATEMENT This bill requires a party in an arbitration proceeding to be represented by an attorney in certain circumstances, at the partys own expense. Specifically, under the bill, a party to an arbitration proceeding concerning a claim for personal injury protection benefits will be required to be represented by an attorney licensed to practice law in New Jersey, retained at the partys own expense. The provisions of this bill will not apply to a pro se litigant, who is a litigant appearing on the litigants own behalf.
Sponsors
- Dan Hutchison (D, 4) · primary sponsor
- Rosaura Bagolie (D, 27) · primary sponsor
- Cody D. Miller (D, 4) · primary sponsor
- Michael Venezia (D, 34)
Latest actions
- : PA (58-15-2)
- : REP 2RA
- : INT 1RA REF AFI
Votes
- 3RDG FINAL PASSAGE - Arbitration proceedings-req parties represented by attorneys, cert circumstances (October 29, 2026): 58 yea, 15 nay, passed
- Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee: Reported favorably (September 17, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: JUDICIARY - COURT ADMINISTRATION
Common questions
- What is A5297?
- A5297 is a bill in the New Jersey Legislature (2026-2027 Regular Session): Arbitration proceedings-req parties represented by attorneys, cert circumstances.
- What does A5297 do?
- In its own words: An Act concerning arbitration hearings and supplementing P.L.1983, c.358 (C.39:6A-24 et seq.).
- What is the status of A5297?
- Passed one chamber as of October 29, 2026. Latest action: PA (58-15-2) (October 29, 2026).
- Who sponsored A5297?
- Dan Hutchison (D, 4), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for A5297?
- On the New Jersey Legislature website: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A5297
Source: official New Jersey record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.