Bill > HB677

This bill amends Section 83-39-27 of the Mississippi Code, which regulates the conduct of bail bondsmen, by modifying the existing prohibition on giving legal advice. Specifically, the bill changes the language from a blanket ban on giving legal advice "in any form" to a more nuanced restriction that only prohibits legal advice that would constitute practicing law without a license, as defined under Section 73-3-55. The bill maintains several existing prohibitions for bail bondsmen, such as not specifying attorneys for clients, not paying fees or rebates to law enforcement or court employees, and not coercing or threatening individuals on whose bond they are surety. The other provisions of the original law remain unchanged, including restrictions on accepting collateral, procuring bonds, and handling fees. The amendment seeks to provide more clarity around what constitutes impermissible legal advice while preserving the intent of preventing bail bondsmen from engaging in unauthorized legal practice. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, giving stakeholders time to understand and implement the revised guidelines.

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https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0677.xml