HSB 547

This bill relates to insurance companies acting as surety for bail bonds, including licensure requirements to act as a bail enforcement agent or business. The bill provides that the requirements of Code chapter 80A (private investigative agencies and security agencies) do not apply to a person employed full or part-time by one employer in connection with the affairs of the employer, except for a person employed by a surety licensed pursuant to Code chapter 811 who is acting as a bail enforcement agent. 48(2) may act as surety to insure the fidelity of bail bonds in criminal cases.1, without receiving a license from the department of public safety as specified in Code chapter 80A. Bail enforcement agent is defined as a person engaged in the bail enforcement business, including licensees and persons engaged in the bail enforcement business whose principal place of business is in a state other than Iowa. “Bail enforcement business” means the business of taking or attempting to take into custody the principal on a bail bond issued or a deposit filed in relation to a criminal proceeding to assure the presence of the defendant at trial, but does not include such actions that are undertaken by a peace officer or a law enforcement officer in the course of the officer’s official duties. _____ any time before the forfeiture of the undertaking.1, without receiving a license from the department of public safety as specified in Code chapter 80A.12(2)(d), which currently provides that a bail enforcement agent exempt from licensing requirements is authorized to apprehend, detain, or arrest a principal on a bail bond, wherever issued. The bill provides that a person is not authorized to detain, apprehend, or arrest a principal on a bail bond without being licensed or registered.