HB134 Summary

• Requires professional bail companies to submit sworn affidavits to court clerks documenting defendant violations before obtaining certified copies of bail undertakings; false statements constitute perjury in the third degree.

• Restricts arrest authority on certified undertakings to only those employees, agents, or persons with financial interest in the bail company who made or are listed on required certifications.

• Establishes $50 fee per certified undertaking copy distributed to county sheriff's fund (10%), circuit clerk (45%), and solicitor (45%).

• Increases minimum surety bond/escrow agreement requirement from $25,000 to $100,000 for newly established professional bail companies and requires biannual certification with background checks, education verification, and criminal history record submissions.

• Requires bail company employees to possess high school diploma/GED, complete 40-hour training course, pass state examination, and maintain annual continuing education; authorizes revocation of certification for specified violations including fraud, extortion, and failure to notify courts of employee arrests for felonies or moral turpitude crimes within 72 hours.