FL H0731

Establishes that criminal surety bail bonds executed by bail bond agents obligate the agent to ensure defendants appear at all subsequent criminal proceedings for which the bond was posted.

Specifies that failure to appear before the court in a proceeding for which the surety bond was posted requires the bond and any deposited bail to be forfeited, with notice to the surety agent and surety company required within 5 days.

Creates tiered forfeiture remission schedule based on defendant apprehension timeframe: 100% within 90 days, 95% within 180 days, 90% within 270 days, 85% within 1 year, and 50% within 2 years after forfeiture.

Clarifies that original appearance bonds do not guarantee placement in court-ordered programs, including residential mental health facilities, nor do they cover deferred sentences, appeals, pretrial interventions, or payment of fines.

Limits bond cancellation provisions when a bond has been forfeited within a specified period and requires bonds to expire 36 months after posting unless forfeited before the expiration date; effective July 1, 2016.