Missouri Holds 4th Meeting on Bail Reform
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Jefferson City - The Missouri State Legislature passed legislation earlier this year, a 62 page bill (H.B. 577) which, in part required the Missouri Department of Insurance to "conduct a study regarding its licensing rules and other policies and procedures governing the bail bond industry". H.B. 577 suggested the Department of Insurance hold hearings and permit testimony from representatives of law enforcement, judiciary, bail agents and surety bail bond companies. Four hearings were held with the last hearing held at the state capital on Tuesday, November 10. I attended that hearing. Approximately 15 people sat on the panel hearing testimony, of which several were bail agents. Testimony was largely given by bail agents writing on personal assets identified in Section 374.700 of the Missouri Revised Statutes as a Property Bail Bondsmen. The testimony from some of the property agents keyed on the low barrier…