The bill SB213 amends the Alabama Bail Reform Act of 1993, introducing significant changes to the bail process and the regulations governing professional bail companies. Key insertions include provisions allowing sheriffs or jailers to accept filing fees at the time of posting bail, clarifications on cash and property bail definitions, and the requirement for a "Bondsman's or Recovery License Number" on surrender documents. The bill also extends the time frames for responses and hearings related to bail forfeiture, increasing the response period from 28 to 30 days and the minimum hearing time from 90 to 120 days. Additionally, it specifies conditions under which sureties may be discharged from liability and allows for the court to set aside conditional forfeitures under certain circumstances.

Furthermore, the bill enhances accountability for professional bail companies by requiring them to submit documentation confirming compliance with state regulations and mandating annual authorization from the presiding circuit judge to execute bail bonds. It establishes new penalties for unauthorized surety activities and provides clarity on the qualifications of individuals involved in bail companies, including restrictions on felony convictions. The bill also includes deletions of outdated legal language and ensures that if any part of the act is deemed invalid, the remaining sections will still be enforceable. Overall, SB213 aims to streamline the bail process while ensuring the integrity and accountability of the judicial system in Alabama.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 15-13-107, 15-13-111, 15-13-114, 15-13-118, 15-13-125, 15-13-128, 15-13-131, 15-13-132, 15-13-134, 15-13-136, 15-13-137, 15-13-138, 15-13-139, 15-13-140, 15-13-141, 15-13-145, 15-13-159, 15-13-160, 15-13-164, 15-13-107, 15-13-111, 15-13-114, 15-13-118, 15-13-125, 15-13-128, 15-13-131, 15-13-132, 15-13-134, 15-13-136, 15-13-137, 15-13-138, 15-13-139, 15-13-140, 15-13-141, 15-13-145, 15-13-159, 15-13-160, 15-13-164
Engrossed: 15-13-107, 15-13-111, 15-13-114, 15-13-118, 15-13-125, 15-13-128, 15-13-131, 15-13-132, 15-13-134, 15-13-136, 15-13-137, 15-13-138, 15-13-139, 15-13-140, 15-13-141, 15-13-145, 15-13-159, 15-13-160, 15-13-164, 15-13-107, 15-13-111, 15-13-114, 15-13-118, 15-13-125, 15-13-128, 15-13-131, 15-13-132, 15-13-134, 15-13-136, 15-13-137, 15-13-138, 15-13-139, 15-13-140, 15-13-141, 15-13-145, 15-13-159, 15-13-160, 15-13-164
Enrolled: 15-13-107, 15-13-111, 15-13-114, 15-13-118, 15-13-125, 15-13-128, 15-13-131, 15-13-132, 15-13-134, 15-13-136, 15-13-137, 15-13-138, 15-13-139, 15-13-140, 15-13-141, 15-13-145, 15-13-159, 15-13-160, 15-13-164, 15-13-107, 15-13-111, 15-13-114, 15-13-118, 15-13-125, 15-13-128, 15-13-131, 15-13-132, 15-13-134, 15-13-136, 15-13-137, 15-13-138, 15-13-139, 15-13-140, 15-13-141, 15-13-145, 15-13-159, 15-13-160, 15-13-164