HB410 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Shane StringerRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Bail Bonds; Bail Reform Act of 1993 and Bail Bond Regulatory Act amended; certain undeposited fees forgiven; penalties for crime of bail jumping increased; to provide further for conditional forfeitures, out-of-state bondsmen and sureties, limitations on property owners as sureties; to provide further for the definition of an employee of a professional bail bond company or professional surety company, for the licensing and duties of apprentices; to increase the membership of the Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board; provide for a late fee for renewals; and to require applicants for licensing to be residents of this state for at least one year

Summary

HB410 would overhaul Alabama's bail bond system by tightening licensing rules, increasing penalties for bail jumping, and restructuring fees and board governance to regulate bail bonds more strictly.

What This Bill Does

It would allow dismissal of certain bail bond fees that have not been deposited or collected within a set time frame. It would raise penalties for bail jumping and strengthen requirements for out-of-state bondsmen and for property owners acting as sureties. It would expand the Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board, add a late renewal fee, require residency for licensing, and establish licensing and education requirements for apprentices. It would also create a detailed fee schedule and new distribution rules for bail bond fees, with audits and tighter enforcement mechanisms.

Who It Affects

• Bail bond professionals and entities (professional bail bond companies, professional surety companies, bail bondsmen, recovery agents, and apprentices) who would face new licensing rules, exams, continuing education, residency requirements, and governance changes.
• Property owners who act as sureties and out-of-state bondsmen/sureties who would face new limitations, reporting requirements, and enhanced enforcement; local governments and courts would be involved via fee collection, distribution, forfeiture processes, and contempt actions.

Key Provisions

• Regulatory reforms to bail bonds: expands Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board membership, defines employees and apprentices, requires residency of applicants for at least one year, and imposes new licensing and education requirements (including exams).
• Financial and enforcement reforms: creates and adjusts bail bond fees with specified amounts, establishes how fees are collected and distributed (to county sheriff funds, court clerk funds, and Solicitor's Fund, plus state funds), adds late renewal penalties, and strengthens procedures for forfeiture, show-cause orders, and contempt.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Criminal Procedure