BILL REQ. #:  H-4547.1 

Read first time 01/26/2006.   Referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

     AN ACT Relating to bail bond agents; and amending RCW 18.185.010.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 18.185.010 and 2004 c 186 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
     (1) "Department" means the department of licensing.
     (2) "Director" means the director of licensing.
     (3) "Commission" means the criminal justice training commission.
     (4) "Collateral or security" means property of any kind given as security to obtain a bail bond.
     (5) "Bail bond agency" means a business that sells and issues corporate surety bail bonds or that provides security in the form of personal or real property to ensure the appearance of a criminal defendant before the courts of this state or the United States.
     (6) "Qualified bail bond agent" means an owner, sole proprietor, partner, manager, officer, or chief operating officer of a corporation who meets the requirements set forth in this chapter for obtaining a bail bond agency license.
     (7) "Bail bond agent" means a person who is employed by a bail bond agency and engages in the sale or issuance of bail bonds, but does not mean a clerical, secretarial, or other support person who does not participate in the sale or issuance of bail bonds.
     (8) "Licensee" means a bail bond agency, a bail bond agent, a qualified bail bond agent, or a bail bond recovery agent.
     (9) "Branch office" means any office physically separated from the principal place of business of the licensee from which the licensee or an employee or agent of the licensee conducts any activity meeting the criteria of a bail bond agency.
     (10) "Bail bond recovery agent" means a person who is under contract with a bail bond agent to receive compensation, reward, or any other form of lawful consideration for locating, apprehending, and surrendering a fugitive criminal defendant for whom a bail bond has been posted. "Bail bond recovery agent" does not include a general authority Washington peace officer ((or)), a limited authority Washington peace officer, or a qualified bail bond agent enforcing his or her own bail bonds.
     (11) "Contract" means a written agreement between a bail bond agent or qualified bail bond agent and a bail bond recovery agent for the purpose of locating, apprehending, and surrendering a fugitive criminal defendant in exchange for lawful consideration.
     (12) "Planned forced entry" means a premeditated forcible entry into a dwelling, building, or other structure without the occupant's knowledge or consent for the purpose of apprehending a fugitive criminal defendant subject to a bail bond. "Planned forced entry" does not include situations where, during an imminent or actual chase or pursuit of a fleeing fugitive criminal defendant, or during a casual or unintended encounter with the fugitive, the bail bond recovery agent forcibly enters into a dwelling, building, or other structure without advanced planning.