(1) The owner or operator of a bail bond agency shall designate a primary bail bond agent for each location, and shall file with the department the name and license number of the person and the address of the location on a form approved by the department. The designation of the primary bail bond agent may be changed if the department is notified immediately. Failure to notify the department within 10 working days after such change is grounds for disciplinary action pursuant to s. 648.45.
(2) The primary bail bond agent is responsible for the overall operation and management of a bail bond agency location, whose responsibilities may include, without limitations, hiring and supervising of all individuals within the location, whether they deal with the public in the solicitation or negotiation of bail bond contracts or in the collection or accounting of moneys. A person may be designated as primary bail bond agent for only one location.
(3) The department may suspend or revoke the license of the owner, operator, and primary bail bond agent if a bail bond agency employs, contracts with, or uses the services of a person who has had a license denied or whose license is currently suspended or revoked. However, a person who has been denied a license for failure to pass a required examination may be employed to perform clerical or administrative functions for which licensure is not required.
(4) An owner, operator, or primary agent may not employ, contract with, or use the services of any person in a bail bond agency who has been charged with, found guilty of, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or a crime punishable by imprisonment of 1 year or more under the law of any jurisdiction, without regard to whether judgment was entered or withheld by the court.
(5) A bail bond agency location may not conduct surety business unless a primary bail bond agent is designated at all times. The failure to designate a primary agent on a form prescribed by the department, within 10 working days after an agency’s inception or a change of primary agent, is a violation of this chapter, punishable as provided in s. 648.45.
History.—s. 17, ch. 2002-260.
Structure Florida Statutes
Chapter 648 - Bail Bond Agents
648.24 - Declaration of Public Policy.
648.26 - Department of Financial Services; Administration.
648.27 - Licenses and Appointments; General.
648.285 - Bond Agency; Ownership Requirements.
648.29 - Build-Up Funds Posted by Bail Bond Agent.
648.295 - Reporting and Accounting of Funds.
648.30 - Licensure and Appointment Required; Prohibited Acts; Penalties.
648.31 - Appointment Taxes and Fees.
648.315 - Number of Applications for Licensure Required.
648.34 - Bail Bond Agents; Qualifications.
648.35 - Professional Bail Bond Agent; Qualifications.
648.36 - Bail Bond Agent’s Records.
648.365 - Statistical Reporting Requirements; Penalty for Failure to Comply.
648.38 - Licensure Examination for Bail Bond Agents; Time; Place; Fees; Scope.
648.383 - Renewal, Continuation, Reinstatement, and Termination of Appointment; Bail Bond Agents.
648.384 - Effect of Expiration of Appointment; Bail Bond Agents.
648.385 - Continuing Education Required; Requirements.
648.386 - Qualifications for Prelicensing and Continuing Education Schools and Instructors.
648.387 - Primary Bail Bond Agents; Duties.
648.388 - Insurer Must Appoint Managing General Agent.
648.40 - Application for Appointment of Professional Bail Bond Agents; Termination.
648.41 - Termination of Appointment of Temporary Bail Bond Agents.
648.42 - Registration of Bail Bond Agents.
648.421 - Notice of Change of Address or Telephone Number.
648.43 - Power of Attorney; Approval by Office; Filing of Copies; Notification of Transfer Bond.
648.44 - Prohibitions; Penalty.
648.441 - Furnishing Supplies to Unlicensed Bail Bond Agent Prohibited; Civil Liability and Penalty.
648.442 - Collateral Security.
648.45 - Actions Against a Licensee; Suspension or Revocation of Eligibility to Hold a License.
648.46 - Procedure for Disciplinary Action Against Licensees.
648.48 - Witnesses and Evidence.
648.49 - Duration of Suspension or Revocation.
648.50 - Effect of Suspension, Revocation Upon Associated Licenses and Licensees.
648.51 - Surrender of License.
648.55 - All Bail Bond Agents of Same Agency; Licensed by Same Companies.