HB 2156 - Bail Bond Regulation Changes

• Increases initial training requirement for bail bond agents from 24 to 40 hours and raises license fees from $150 to $300 every two years for general bail bond agents

• Extends the period required as an active bail bond agent before owning or becoming an officer of a general bail bond agent from 2 years to 4 years

• Modifies asset deposit requirements for general bail bond agents, changing from an "assignment" structure to direct deposits held in Missouri financial institutions with specific documentation requirements for real estate, certificates of deposit, and cash

• Establishes quarterly financial statement filing requirements for general bail bond agents with limits on outstanding bonds (15 times assets less encumbrances) and monthly statements of outstanding bonds

• Creates a 90-day period after defendant failure to appear before bond forfeiture becomes final judgment, during which bail bond agents may work to apprehend defendants or post the full bond amount to extend the deadline

• Effective January 1, 2011