SB388 Summary

• Creates the Alabama Bail Bond Regulatory Act requiring professional bondsmen and recovery agents to register and obtain licenses from the newly created Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board instead of seeking individual county judge approval.

• Establishes a 9-member board consisting of seven professional bondsmen (one from each congressional district), one district/municipal court judge, and one circuit/municipal court clerk, with members appointed by the Governor based on nominations from the Alabama Bail Bond Association.

• Requires all new professional bondsmen and recovery agents commencing business after June 1, 2020, to complete a 12-hour instructional course and pass a board-approved examination; existing bondsmen exempt from initial course but must complete 8 annual continuing education hours (4 hours for owners age 55+ with 10 years experience).

• Establishes licensure qualifications including minimum age of 21, mental competency, no felony convictions, and no crimes of moral turpitude; creates civil penalties up to $1,000 for false statements and allows license suspension or revocation for violations.

• Creates the Alabama Bail Bond Board Fund supported by application and license fees, with the board subject to Alabama Sunset Law with termination date of October 1, 2023, and every four years thereafter unless continued.