ASSEMBLY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5297

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

      The Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 5297.

      This bill requires a party in an arbitration hearing to be represented by an attorney in certain circumstances, retained at the party’s own expense.

      Specifically, under the bill, a party to an arbitration hearing 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 party’s own expense.  The provisions of this bill will not apply to a pro se litigant, who is a litigant appearing on the litigant’s own behalf.