Signed by Governor Roy Cooper III

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that amends existing laws governing bail bonds, bondsmen, and other legal processes.

Highlights:

• Requires a court to enter a forfeiture of the amount of the bail bond for a released defendant who fails to appear before the court when required (Sec. 3a, Pg. 2).

• Specifies that the forfeiture may be invalid if any of the following occurs (Sec. 3c, Pg. 3).

• If notice of the forfeiture is not properly delivered; or

• If the court refused to issue an order for arrest of the defendant for not appearing in court.

• Authorizes any of the parties on the bail bond, including the defendant, to apply for a written motion that the forfeiture be set aside (Sec. 3c, Pg. 3).

• Specifies that the above provisions are effective for bail bonds on and after December 1, 2022 (Sec. 3e, Pg. 4).

• Amends the qualification requirements for bail bondsmen and runners to include that they must be a legal resident or documented citizen of the United States (Sec. 1a, Pg. 1).

• Expands examination and fee requirements for applicants to become a professional bondsman, surety bondsman, or runner (Sec. 2, Pg. 1).

• Specifies that examination fees are $25, and that applicants may retry if they first fail the exam (Sec. 2, Pg. 1).

• Establishes, recodified, a Class 2 misdemeanor for anyone who individually or jointly tampers with or damages a vehicle without the consent of the owner (Sec. 4a, Pg. 4).

• Establishes the authority of peace officers enforcing the laws governing highways for all members of the Highway Patrol and law enforcement officers in the Department of Public Safety (Sec. 4b, Pg. 4).

• Specifies cooperative responsibilities between the State Executive Branch and the U.S. federal government (Sec. 5a, Pg. 4).

• Establishes that the court has exclusive jurisdiction over any case involving a juvenile (Sec. 5b, Pg. 5).

• Specifies who qualifies as a juvenile offender (Sec. 5c, Pg. 5).

• Establishes appointment process for district judges (Sec. 7a, Pgs. 5 & 6).

• Amends House Bill 607 and 103 of 2021 (Secs. 9 & 10a, Pg. 7).

• Specifies that this act takes effect july 1, 2022, except as otherwise specified (Sec. 11, Pg. 8).

Full Bill Text