House Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to revise and improve the legal framework surrounding bail, with a particular emphasis on surety bail bond practices. The bill establishes legislative findings that highlight the importance of surety bail bond agents in ensuring court appearances by defendants and clarifies their rights and responsibilities, including the authority to arrest principals without a court-issued warrant. It introduces a two-year statute of limitations for surety appearance bonds, after which the bond must be exonerated unless otherwise agreed. Additionally, the bill mandates judges to receive training on surety bail bond regulations and ensures that detention centers allow inmates to communicate with their attorneys and surety bail bond agents without charge.

Significant amendments include the prohibition of fees related to bail processing by jails and detention centers, the requirement for courts to prescribe a uniform bond amount for all bond types, and the issuance of a single aggregate bond for multiple charges. The bill emphasizes the need for courts to maintain impartiality in the bail system and outlines procedures for handling bail increases and revocations. It clarifies that surety bail bonds are strictly appearance bonds and cannot be forfeited for fines or other violations beyond failure to appear. Furthermore, the bill defines "pretrial services agency," establishes procedures for surrendering defendants, and mandates automatic discharge of existing bonds when a defendant is released on their own recognizance for new charges. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance fairness, transparency, and efficiency in the bail process while protecting defendants' rights and ensuring judicial integrity.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 3-1-1502, 3-10-302, 7-32-2255, 46-6-508, 46-9-105, 46-9-301, 46-9-311, 46-9-502, 46-9-503, 46-9-505, 46-9-510, 46-9-511
HB0852_1(1): 3-1-1502, 3-10-302, 7-32-2255, 46-6-508, 46-9-105, 46-9-301, 46-9-311, 46-9-502, 46-9-503, 46-9-505, 46-9-510, 46-9-511
HB0852_1(2): 3-1-1502, 3-10-302, 7-32-2255, 46-6-508, 46-9-105, 46-9-301, 46-9-311, 46-9-502, 46-9-503, 46-9-505, 46-9-510, 46-9-511
HB0852_1(3): 3-1-1502, 3-10-302, 7-32-2255, 46-6-508, 46-9-105, 46-9-301, 46-9-311, 46-9-502, 46-9-503, 46-9-505, 46-9-510, 46-9-511
HB0852_1: 3-1-1502, 3-10-302, 7-32-2255, 46-6-508, 46-9-105, 46-9-301, 46-9-311, 46-9-502, 46-9-503, 46-9-505, 46-9-510, 46-9-511