Bill Text: NJ S3840 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Makes it a fourth degree crime to operate as unlicensed bail agent, per SCI recommendations.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-06-03 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee [S3840 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-S3840-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator LINDA R. GREENSTEIN
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Makes it a fourth degree crime to operate as unlicensed bail agent, per SCI recommendations.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning bail and supplementing Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. A person commits a crime of the fourth degree if he operates as a bail agent or agency without a license in violation of section 4 of P.L.2001, c.210 (C.17:22A-29). This shall be in addition to any penalties imposed pursuant to section 15 of P.L.2001, c.210 (C.17:22A-40).
As used in this section, "bail agent or agency" means any person or entity that solicits, negotiates, or sells bail bonds, or is affiliated in any manner with the execution of bail.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill makes it a fourth degree crime to operate as a bail agent without a license. Under current law, a bail agent is prohibited from selling, soliciting, or negotiating a bail bond unless he or she is licensed to do so. In addition, current law provides for civil penalties that may be imposed against a person who performs these acts without the required license.
Under the provisions of this bill, a person commits a crime of the fourth degree if he operates as a bail agent or agency without having a license. This penalty is to be imposed in addition to any civil penalties imposed under current law.
A fourth degree crime is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
This bill implements a recommendation by the State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation in its May 2014 report entitled, "Inside Out: Questionable and Abusive Practices in New Jersey's Bail-Bond Industry."
