New Jersey legislation · 2026-2027 Regular Session
New Jersey S4781: Immigration unit-establish within Office of Public Defender
Status: In committee, October 5, 2026
Establishes immigration unit within Office of Public Defender.
What the bill says
An Act concerning representation by the Office of the Public Defender and supplementing Title 2A of the New Jersey Statutes.
From the introduced text, October 5, 2026:
An Act concerning representation by the Office of the Public Defender and supplementing Title 2A of the New Jersey Statutes. Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. There is established, within the Office of the Public Defender, a unit which shall, in the manner prescribed by P.L.1967, c.43 (C.2A:158A-1 et seq), provide for the legal representation of any noncitizen involved in the criminal justice system; any noncitizen committed to a State, county, or private psychiatric institution; and any noncitizen youth involved in the juvenile delinquency system along with legal assistance on immigration related matters. 2. This act shall take effect immediately. STATEMENT This bill establishes an immigration unit within the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) in order to provide legal representation and assistance to indigent noncitizens on immigration-related matters. The immigration unit would assist criminal justice-involved noncitizens, including noncitizen youth, in navigating immigration issues during and resulting from the court proceedings. Pursuant to [ADDED: Padilla v. Kentucky] , 559 U.S.356 (2010), defense attorneys are required to advise their clients of the immigration consequences of any criminal conviction. Public defender agencies across the country employ specialized immigration lawyers to collaborate with attorneys in other areas of law to provide such guidance. According to the OPD, the New Jersey OPD currently employs …
Sponsors
- Brian P. Stack (D, 33) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : INT 1RS REF SJU
Subjects: JUDICIARY, IMMIGRATION
Common questions
- What is S4781?
- S4781 is a bill in the New Jersey Legislature (2026-2027 Regular Session): Immigration unit-establish within Office of Public Defender.
- What does S4781 do?
- In its own words: An Act concerning representation by the Office of the Public Defender and supplementing Title 2A of the New Jersey Statutes.
- What is the status of S4781?
- In committee as of October 5, 2026. Latest action: INT 1RS REF SJU (October 5, 2026).
- Who sponsored S4781?
- Brian P. Stack (D, 33).
- Where is the official record for S4781?
- On the New Jersey Legislature website: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S4781
Source: official New Jersey record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.