AB 2043 Summary

• Creates a new bail fugitive recovery agent license effective July 1, 2023, requiring individuals to be licensed by the Department of Insurance to perform bail recovery activities such as investigating, surveilling, locating, and arresting bail fugitives.

• Requires bail fugitive recovery agents to file a $1,000 surety bond and $1,000,000 liability insurance policy with the commissioner; exempts existing bail agents, permittees, and solicitors with current bonds and insurance already on file.

• Increases licensing fees: bail agent and solicitor applications increase from $283 to $311 per year; bail permittee applications increase from $567 to $624; new bail fugitive recovery agent license fee is $311 annually with $94 renewal fee.

• Mandates completion of a 40-hour power of arrest course certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training for all license applicants and for bail agents who hire or train bail fugitive recovery agents.

• Restricts who can apprehend bail fugitives in California to licensed bail agents, bail permittees, bail solicitors, and private investigators who also obtain a bail fugitive recovery agent license; prohibits out-of-state licensed individuals from apprehending fugitives in California unless they obtain a California license.