HB466 Summary

• Removes requirement that bail for initial custody arrests in misdemeanor cases, municipal ordinance violations, and traffic offenses be cash bail only, allowing alternative bail forms instead.

• Allows sheriffs and jailers to accept filing fees physically attached to bail bond forms at the time of posting and permits acceptance of various payment methods including checks and money orders.

• Increases timeframes for conditional forfeiture proceedings from 28 to 45 days for written responses and from 90 to 120 days for hearing dates after service of notice.

• Eliminates requirement that conditional judgments to set aside forfeiture must be made absolute for the entire bond sum, allowing courts discretion to set aside partial amounts based on circumstances.

• Increases corporate surety bond and escrow agreement requirements from $25,000 to $50,000 for new bonds in counties with populations of 200,000 or more; establishes new criminal penalties including Class A misdemeanor for unauthorized sureties and Class C felony for exchanging sexual services for bail bond services.