Licensure of commercial bail bond agents and bail bond agencies and certification of commercial bail recovery agents, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty

Under the bill, DSPS must grant a license to act as a bail bond agent to an individual who applies for licensure if DSPS determines that the individual satisfies any education, training, and examination requirements established by DSPS by rule, does not have a relevant arrest or conviction record, has paid an initial licensure fee of $1,000, and satisfies any other requirements DSPS establishes by rule.

Similarly, the bill requires DSPS to grant a license to act as a bail bond agency to a business if, after receiving an application for licensure, DSPS determines that at least one owner, officer, director, member, or partner of the business is a bail bond agent licensed by DSPS, that the business has paid an initial licensure fee of $1,000, and that the business satisfies any other requirements imposed by DSPS.

The bill also establishes certification requirements for bail recovery agents. A bail recovery agent is an individual who is compensated to locate, apprehend, transport, or surrender a principal on a bail bond. Under the bill, only an individual who is already licensed by DSPS as a private investigator may be certified as a bail recovery agent in Wisconsin.

Under the bill, DSPS is required to keep a register of the names and addresses of all licensed bail bond agents and agencies and all certified bail recovery agents.

DSPS must make that register available to the public. Additionally, on an annual basis, DSPS must provide a complete list to the clerk of circuit court in each county that includes the names and addresses of all licensed bail bond agents and agencies and all certified bail recovery agents, and DSPS is required to promptly notify the clerk of circuit court in each county concerning any disciplinary action DSPS takes against a licensed bail bond agent or agency or a certified bail recovery agent.

The bill requires that a licensed bail bond agency file a bond or liability policy with DSPS in an amount determined by DSPS by rule and that a licensed bail bond agent who is not covered under an agency's bond or liability policy file a bond or liability policy with DSPS in an amount determined by DSPS by rule.

The bill establishes specific restrictions concerning business referrals. No bail bond agent or agency or bail recovery agent, and no agent or employee of a bail bond agent or agency or bail recovery agent, may in the course of its business suggest that a principal on a bail bond or prospective principal on a bail bond contact or engage the services of a specific attorney or law firm. Also under the bill, no law enforcement officer or other employee of the state or of a city, village, town, or county may suggest that a defendant contact or engage the services of a specific bail bond agent or agency.

The bill directs DSPS to promulgate rules to administer licensure of bail bond agents and agencies and certification of bail recovery agents. The rules promulgated by DSPS must do at least all of the following:

1. Establish photograph identification requirements for bail bond agents and bail recovery agents.

2. Establish rules of conduct for bail bond agents and agencies and bail recovery agents, including rules that prohibit the use or display of badges, shields, or other similar images or items normally associated with law enforcement; rules that require contact with local law enforcement before an attempt is made to apprehend a principal on a bail bond; and rules that establish other requirements concerning the location, apprehension, transportation, and surrender of principals.

3. Establish procedures for the temporary certification of bail recovery agents from other states. Under the bill, DSPS may also enter into reciprocal agreements with other states concerning the activities of bail bond agents and agencies and bail recovery agents in the respective states.

4. Establish appropriate education, training, examination, and other requirements for the initial licensure of bail bond agents and the initial certification of bail recovery agents and establish appropriate continuing education, training, and other requirements for the renewal of those licenses and certifications.

In promulgating its rules, the bill requires DSPS to consult the laws of other states and federal law regarding bail bond agents, bail bond agencies, and bail recovery agents, and the bill requires DSPS to attempt to make its rules consistent with those laws. The bill authorizes DSPS to issue emergency rules.

The bill further authorizes DSPS to take disciplinary action, including imposing forfeitures established by DSPS by rule, but not exceeding $5,000, against a bail bond agent or agency or a bail recovery agent that does any of the following:

1. Intentionally makes a material misstatement in an application for a license or license renewal or a certification or certification renewal.

2. Advertises in a manner that is false or misleading.

3. Obtains or attempts to obtain compensation through fraud or deceit.

4. Violates the law, including rules promulgated by DSPS, regarding bail bond agents and agencies and bail recovery agents or violates any other Wisconsin law, any law of another state, or any federal law that substantially relates to the activity of a bail bond agent or agency or a bail recovery agent.

5. Engages in unprofessional conduct.

Finally, the bill requires DSPS to establish an advisory committee to advise DSPS on matters relating to the regulation of bail bond agents and agencies and bail recovery agents. Under the bill, the committee must consist of six members appointed by DSPS and one member appointed by the governor. The members of the committee serve three-year terms and may not serve more than two consecutive terms. The committee must consist of the following members:

1. One private criminal defense attorney admitted to practice law in Wisconsin.

2. One current or former law enforcement officer in Wisconsin.

3. One current or former Wisconsin circuit court judge.

4. One member of the public who is a Wisconsin citizen and who is not a current or former law enforcement officer.

5. One member of the legislature, who is nominated by the governor and appointed with the advice and consent of the senate.

6. Two representatives of the bail bond industry in Wisconsin.