Bill > H716

This bill modifies North Carolina's laws related to bail bonds, introducing several key changes. It expands the definition of a defendant's "address of record" to include multiple potential addresses, such as those on bail bonds, court records, or provided by the defendant or others. The bill clarifies that bail bonds are now valid for up to three years and requires sureties to notify the district attorney 30 days before a bond's expiration to be released from their obligation. The legislation also adds new circumstances under which a bail bond obligation can be terminated, including when a prosecutor enters a dismissal with leave or when a court grants a motion to set aside a bond forfeiture. Additionally, the bill requires district attorneys to submit information about defendants who fail to appear in court to the National Crime Information Center within 10 days. It introduces a new definition of "residential address" for bail bond purposes and prohibits electronic systems from acting as bondsmen or performing bondsmen functions. The bill also ensures that licensed bondsmen have access to real-time criminal record search systems. These changes aim to provide more clarity and flexibility in bail bond procedures while maintaining accountability. The bill will become effective on October 1, 2025, and will apply to motions, orders, and notices from that date forward.

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https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H716