BILL NUMBER: S5328
SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to licensing of bail bond
agents
 
PURPOSE:
This bill would strengthen licensing requirements for bail bond agents.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends section 6802 of the insurance law to include the
following licensing requirements for bail bond agents: fingerprinting;
completion of a 24-hour pre-licensing course of classroom instruction;
achieve a minimum score of 75 percent on a written exam; and continuing
education requirements.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Current regulations with respect to the initial and renewal licensing of
bail bond agents are antiquated and have resulted in less than optimum
performance standards for the bail industry and, ultimately, consumers.
The bail industry itself favors improved regulatory standards for
licensing of and continuing education for the professional bail agents
it represents. Virtually all other professional licenses require contin-
uing education to ensure the maintenance of high standards. Currently,
there is no source for bail bond agents to consult with questions relat-
ing to the industry and interactions with consumers. In many instances
bail bond agents are informed that actions they may have taken in the
past are now prohibited, not by virtue of violation of an existing stat-
ute, but rather by developing case law or during an interaction with the
Department of Financial Services resulting from a consumer complaint.
Tightening the licensing requirements and requiring continuing education
with clear and current standards for bail bond agents will enhance qual-
ity and professionalism for the industry and the consumer.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S7755 - Referred to Insurance
2021-22: S3565 - Referred to Insurance
2019-20: S3642 - Referred to Insurance
2017-18: S8144 - Committed to Rules
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law and shall apply to licenses issued and renewed on and after
such date.