HB 2454 -- Licensure of Bail Bond and Surety Recovery Agents

Sponsor:  Kraus

This bill changes the laws regarding the licensure of bail bond
and surety recovery agents.  In its main provisions, the bill:

(1)  Establishes the Professional Bail Bonds Board within the
Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions, and Professional
Registration and specifies the make-up, powers, and duties of the
board;

(2)  Creates the Professional Bail Bonds Board Fund within the
state treasury for the deposit of fees collected under the
provisions of the bill;

(3)  Assesses a $10 fee to be paid by defendants on any bond
written by a licensed bail bond agent in this state.  Five
dollars will be deposited into the board fund, $2.50 will be
deposited into the Legal Defense and Defender Fund, and $2.50
will be payable to the county for the administration of the local
circuit court;

(4)  Requires the board to notify general bail bond agents of
bond forfeiture by facsimile or electronic mail within 48 hours
of the forfeiture;

(5)  Requires the board to include the photograph of the bail
bond agent on the license and requires the licensee to provide
the board with the name, address, and phone number of all
employers prior to receiving a license;

(6)  Authorizes bail bond agents operating in good standing with
the board to write bail on behalf of a general bail bond agent in
every municipal or circuit court in the state; and

(7)  Specifies that bail bond agents will have six months from
the date of the order and judgment of forfeiture to return the
defendant to custody of the court.  Upon doing so, the court will
vacate the forfeiture and exonerate the bond.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:12 pm