HLS 24RS-992 REENGROSSED
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 505
BY REPRESENTATIVE FONTENOT
CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides relative to electronic bonds
1 AN ACT
2To enact Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 311(11) and 328(C), relative to electronic
3 bonds; to provide for definitions; and to provide for related matters.
4Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
5 Section 1. Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 311(11) and 328(C) are hereby
6enacted to read as follows:
7 Art. 311. Definitions
8 For the purpose of this Title, the following definitions shall apply:
9 * * *
10 (11) Electronic bond is a commercial bail bond contract executed digitally
11 as security given by a surety to assure a defendant's appearance before the proper
12 court whenever required.
13 * * *
14 Art. 328. Bail undertaking
15 * * *
16 C.(1) An electronic bond may be executed in a parish where the sheriff has
17 an electronic bond software in place. Agents may be approved by the sheriff to
18 execute an electronic bond. A licensed bail bond producer applying for electronic
19 bond authority may make an application to the sheriff and shall meet the following
20 criteria to execute an electronic bond:
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
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HB NO. 505
1 (a) Is domiciled in this state and maintains a principal place of business in
2 this state.
3 (b) Be qualified to write bail bonds.
4 (c) Be qualified and possess a Louisiana bail bond producer license for a
5 period of not less than three years preceding the date of application.
6 (2) The approving sheriff authority may require any documents deemed
7 necessary to verify the information contained in the application.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 505 Reengrossed 2024 Regular Session Fontenot
Abstract: Provides relative to electronic bonds and bail undertaking for electronic bonds.
Proposed law (C.Cr.P. Art. 311) defines "electronic bonds".
Proposed law provides that an electronic bond may be executed and the sheriff may approve
agents to execute the bond.
Proposed law provides that a licensed bail bond producer applying for electronic bond
authority may make an application to the sheriff and shall meet the following criteria to
execute an electronic bond:
(1)Is domiciled in this state and maintains a principal place of business in this state.
(2)Be qualified to write bail bonds.
(3)Be qualified and possess a La. bail bond producer license for a period of not less than
three years preceding the date of application.
Proposed law provides that the approving sheriff authority may require any documents
deemed necessary to verify the information contained in the application.
(Adds C.Cr.P. Art. 311(11) and 328(C))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Remove proposed law that provides that an electronic bond may be executed at
the discretion of the sheriff.
2. Authorize, rather than require, the sheriff to approve agents to execute the bond.
3. Authorize, rather than require, a licensed bail bond producer to make an
application to the sheriff.
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HB NO. 505
4. Change the period of time that a bail bond producer has to be qualified and
possess a La. bail bond producer license preceding the date of application from
10 years to three years.
5. Clarify that one of the criteria that a licensed bail bond producer shall meet to
execute an electronic bond is to be domiciled and maintain a principal place of
business, rather than reside or maintain a principal place of business, in this state.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.