Bill > SB197

This bill generally revises laws related to bail bonds and insurance, effectively reverting several statutory provisions to their pre-2023 requirements. Specifically, the bill removes the separate classification of "surety bail bond insurance" from insurance licensing examinations, eliminates specific rules about surety bail bond insurance producers, and repeals sections of law that previously established special qualifications and licensing requirements for surety bail bond insurance. The bill modifies sections of Montana law related to insurance producer examinations, rulemaking authority for surety insurers, forms of bail, and the process for surrendering defendants. Importantly, the bill maintains the ability of surety companies to surrender defendants to the court within 90 days of bail forfeiture, but removes specific reporting requirements to the insurance commissioner. The bill also repeals three sections of law: one establishing special qualifications for surety bail bond insurance licenses, another regarding training and temporary licenses, and a third concerning arrests by bail bond insurance producers. These changes appear to streamline regulations and remove specialized provisions related to bail bond insurance that were previously enacted.

Justice

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1658