HB565 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris EnglandRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Bail bonds, Alabama Bail Bond Regulatory Act, regulation of further provided for, Professional Bail Bonding Board created, licensure of bondsmen and recovery agents, continuing education,

Summary

HB 565 creates the Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board to license and regulate bondsmen and recovery agents, requires training and continuing education, and sets up a state fund and rules for bail bonds.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board to license and regulate professional bondsmen, professional surety bondsmen, and recovery agents. It requires licenses for those activities (bondsmen and recovery agents licensed by the new board; professional surety bondsmen licensed by the Department of Insurance) and imposes exams and continuing education. It creates the Alabama Bail Bond Board Fund to collect fees and penalties to run the board and allows disciplinary actions like license suspension, revocation, or civil penalties for violations, including making false statements. It also sets training requirements (initial 12-hour course and exam for new licensees starting June 1, 2020, and annual continuing education), and includes sunset review and a prohibition on local licensing requirements.

Who It Affects

• Professional bondsmen and recovery agents—must register, obtain licenses, meet education and testing requirements, and be subject to discipline for violations.
• Bail bond companies and related insurers (professional bondsman organizations, professional surety companies, and the Department of Insurance)—establish board control, licensing responsibilities, and funding; and determine rules and enforcement processes.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board, with seven bondsman members, one judge, and one clerk; sets terms and appointment rules.
• Defines professional bondsman, professional surety bondsman, and recovery agent and requires licensure to operate; licenses for bondsmen overseen by the board, while surety bondsmen license through the Department of Insurance.
• Requires license to act as bondsman or recovery agent; unlawful activity is a Class A misdemeanor; licenses must display and be accompanied by a laminated ID card.
• Creates the Alabama Bail Bond Board Fund to collect fees and penalties for board operations; funds governed by state budget rules.
• Imposes initial 12-hour training and exam for new entrants after June 1, 2020 (exemptions for existing practitioners), plus eight hours of annual continuing education; sets fee limits and renewal processes.
• Board and staff have immunity; board can adopt rules and ethics standards; administration under the Administrative Procedure Act; Attorney General provides legal services.
• Sunset provision: board subject to sunset law with termination date and periodic renewal; no local licensing required; effective date set after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Bail Bonds