SB204 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jack W. WilliamsSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Bail Bond Regulatory Act, qualifications of Professional Bail Bonding Board and fees revised, temporary licenses provided, Secs. 15-13-201, 15-13-202, 15-13-203, 15-13-206, 15-13-207, 15-13-209, 15-13-210, 15-13-211, 15-13-214, 15-13-217 am'd.

Summary

SB204 overhauls Alabama's Bail Bond Regulatory Act by expanding licensing rules, education requirements, and fees for professional bondsmen, bail companies, surety bondsmen, and recovery agents, and by giving the board new enforcement powers.

What This Bill Does

It updates definitions and expands who must be licensed; it authorizes apprentice licenses and gives the board authority to hire legal counsel, while strengthening penalties for unlicensed practice. It caps and clarifies fees charged by the board for applications, exams, and renewals and creates a dedicated fund to support the board's work. It also tightens education requirements, including a 12-hour pre-licensing course for new licensees, ongoing eight hours of continuing education each year (with an exemption for some owners), and specific renewal timelines and exemptions.

Who It Affects

• Professional bondsmen, professional bail companies, professional surety bondsmen, and professional surety companies—must obtain licenses, complete pre-licensing education, pay fees, and comply with continuing education and annual renewal rules; penalties apply for violations.
• Recovery agents—also must obtain a license, meet education requirements, pay fees, and face penalties for violations.

Key Provisions

• Redefined terms and expanded board composition: seven professional bondsmen from seven districts (owner of a bail bond company with at least five years' experience), plus a judge and a court clerk; four-year terms with diversity considerations.
• Apprentice licenses allowed for qualified applicants (valid 120 days), including age allowances and felony-free affidavit; apprentice license fee up to $50.
• Board may hire legal counsel and adopt ethics rules; strict penalties for unlicensed practice (Class A misdemeanor; willful violations become Class D felonies).
• Licensure prerequisites require age 21, no felony or moral turpitude findings, and completion of board-approved pre-licensure education; an exam is required unless exempted.
• Education requirements: 12-hour initial pre-licensing course and exam (with exemptions for those active before June 1, 2020); eight hours of annual continuing education (four hours for certain seasoned owners); course providers must be approved by the board; continuing education certificates must be renewed annually.
• Fees: board may set exam and license fees with caps (examination up to $500 per attempt; initial company license up to $500; annual CE certificate renewal $50–$500; annual company license renewal up to $100).
• Funding and administration: all application, license, penalties, and related fees go into the Alabama Bail Bond Board Fund to cover board operating costs; the board may hire staff and use legal services as needed.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Bail Bonds