§ 648.30 — Licensure and appointment required; prohibited acts; penalties

Florida § 648.30

• Jurisdiction: Florida
• Title: XXXVII
• Ch. 648: BAIL BOND AGENTS

Text

(1)(a) A person or entity may not act in the capacity of a bail bond agent or bail bond agency or perform any of the functions, duties, or powers prescribed for bail bond agents or bail bond agencies under this chapter unless that person or entity is qualified, licensed, and appointed as provided in this chapter. (b) A bail bond agent may not sell a bail bond issued by an insurer for which the agent and the agent’s bail bond agency do not hold a current appointment. (c) Except as otherwise provided in this part, a person or entity, other than a bail bond agency or an employee of a bail bond agency, may not perform any of the functions of a bail bond agency without a bail bond agency license.

(2) A person may not represent himself or herself to be a bail enforcement agent, bounty hunter, or other similar title in this state.

(3) A person, other than a certified law enforcement officer, may not apprehend, detain, or arrest a principal on a bond, wherever issued, unless that person is qualified, licensed, and appointed as provided in this chapter or licensed as a bail bond agent or bail bond enforcement agent, or holds an equivalent license by the state where the bond was written.

(4) Any person who violates this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(5) Any licensee under this chapter who knowingly aids or abets an unlicensed person in violating this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

Legislative History

s. 4, ch. 29621, 1955; s. 177, ch. 70-339; s. 3, ch. 76-168; s. 1, ch. 77-457; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; ss. 6, 71, 72, ch. 82-175; ss. 50, 51, ch. 84-103; s. 5, ch. 87-321; ss. 8, 46, 47, ch. 90-131; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 7, ch. 96-372; s. 6, ch. 2002-260; s. 30, ch. 2021-113; s. 56, ch. 2023-144; s. 35, ch. 2024-140.