Connecticut House Bill HB05246

Connecticut 2014 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/19/14
• Refer: 2/19/14

Caption

An Act Concerning Surety Bail Bond Agents.

Impact

The bill's impact on state laws includes requiring the Insurance Department to adopt regulations that establish continuing education requirements for licensed surety bail bond agents. This move is intended to ensure that agents remain knowledgeable about current laws and practices, ultimately enhancing consumer protection. Furthermore, the creation of a dedicated 'surety bail bond agent examination account' aims to streamline the funding for examination activities, ensuring that all fees collected are used for the purpose of regulating and maintaining standards within the bail bond sector.

Summary

House Bill HB05246, titled 'An Act Concerning Surety Bail Bond Agents,' aims to amend certain regulations regarding the licensing and operation of surety bail bond agents in the state. The bill proposes changes to the existing statutes that govern these agents, primarily focusing on the automatic renewal of licenses and the educational requirements for agents. One significant feature of this bill is the establishment of automatic license cancellation for agents who fail to pay their annual examination fee by the deadline of January 31 each year. This emphasizes the importance of maintaining current licenses in order to ensure compliance within the industry.

Contention

Notably, there are potential points of contention surrounding the automatic cancellation clause. Critics may argue that this provision could unfairly penalize agents who may have legitimate reasons for missing the fee deadlines, such as financial hardship. Additionally, the imposition of continued education requirements could be seen as burdensome, particularly for small operators in the bail bond industry who may not have the resources to comply with these new regulations. However, proponents argue that these measures are necessary for professional standards and accountability within the bail bond industry.