H.B. No. 2697 amends Article 17.19 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to establish new procedures for sureties wishing to surrender a principal in bond forfeiture cases. The bill specifies that a surety must notify the principal's attorney, if applicable, of their intention to surrender the principal before filing an affidavit with the court. The affidavit must include details such as the court and cause number, the defendant's name, the offense charged, the bond date, the cause for surrender, and confirmation that notice has been given as required.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new requirement for sureties in felony cases. Under the newly added Subsection (a-1), a surety must also notify the attorney representing the state with jurisdiction in the case before filing the affidavit. This amendment aims to ensure that all relevant parties are informed of the surety's intentions, thereby enhancing the procedural clarity in bond forfeiture cases. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.