Effective 01 Jan 2005, see footnote

374.710. License required for bail bond agents, application, qualifications — exceptions. — 1. Except as otherwise provided in sections 374.695 to 374.775, no person or other entity shall practice as a bail bond agent or general bail bond agent, as defined in section 374.700, in Missouri unless and until the department has issued to him or her a license, to be renewed every two years as hereinafter provided, to practice as a bail bond agent or general bail bond agent.

2. An applicant for a bail bond and general bail bond agent license shall submit with the application proof that he or she has received twenty-four hours of initial basic training in areas of instruction in subjects determined by the director deemed appropriate to professionals in the bail bond profession. Bail bond agents and general bail bond agents who are licensed at the date which this act becomes law* shall be exempt from such twenty-four hours of initial basic training.

3. In addition to the twenty-four hours of initial basic training to become a bail bond agent or general bail bond agent, there shall be eight hours of biennial continuing education for all bail bond agents and general bail bond agents to maintain their state license. The director shall determine said appropriate areas of instruction for said biennial continuing education. The director shall determine which institutions, organizations, associations, and individuals shall be eligible to provide the initial basic training and the biennial continuing education instruction. The department may allow state institutions, organizations, associations, or individuals to provide courses for the initial basic training and the biennial continuing education training. The cost shall not exceed two hundred dollars for the initial basic training and one hundred fifty dollars for biennial continuing education.

4. Upon completion of said basic training or biennial continuing education and the licensee meeting the other requirements as provided under sections 374.695 to 374.789, the director shall issue a two-year license for the bail bond agent or general bail bond agent for a fee not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars.

5. Nothing in sections 374.695 to 374.775 shall be construed to prohibit any person from posting or otherwise providing a bail bond in connection with any legal proceeding, provided that such person receives no fee, remuneration or consideration therefor.

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(L. 1983 S.B. 363 § 3, A.L. 1995 S.B. 3, A.L. 2004 S.B. 1122)

Effective 1-01-05

*"This act" (S.B. 1122, 2004) contained effective dates of August 28, 2004, and January 1, 2005.