On December 11, 2025, the Pennsylvania Commission for Fairness & Justice (PCFJ) issued a press release detailing the release of the Indigent Defense Advisory Committee’s (IDAC) first biennial report.
Established under Act 34 (2023), IDAC was created to improve the delivery of legal representation for indigent defendants across PA. Prior to Act 34, PA was one of two states that provided neither state funding nor state-level supervision for public defense. The Biennial Report outlines the Committee’s progress over its first two years, including the development of statewide standards, grant distribution, data collection initiatives, and recommendations for the improvement of defense services.
The report also acknowledges the leadership of PCFJ, which has long been at the forefront of efforts to improve indigent defense in the Commonwealth. PCFJ’s advocacy and data-driven approach have helped shape the foundation for statewide reform.