Prohibited Bail Bond Solicitations

THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF UTAH 1896 State of Utah GARY R. HERBERT Governor SPENCER J. COX Lieutenant Governor Insurance Department TODD E. KISER Insurance Commissioner # BULLETIN 2014 – 1 TO: All Bail Bond Surety Companies and Bail Bond Producers FROM: Todd E. Kiser, Commissioner of Insurance DATE: January 28, 2014 SUBJECT: Prohibited Bail Bond Solicitations This Bulletin supersedes Bulletin 2011-5, issued October 19, 2011. The Utah Insurance Department (Department) is aware that bail bond sureties and bail bond producers are soliciting business in Utah jails and courts. Pursuant to Utah Code Annotated §31A-35-701(1), Prohibited Acts: "(1) A bail bond producer or bail bond surety may not: (a) solicit business in or about: (i) any place where persons in the custody of the state or any local law enforcement or correctional agency are confined; or (ii) any court..." The Department interprets this statute to prohibit a bail bond producer or bail bond surety from distributing, posting or displaying: business cards; magnets; stickers; fliers; cups; pens or any other advertising materials depicting the bail bond producer or bail bond sureties logo, address, phone number or other contact information in any state or local law enforcement agency, correction facility or any court in this state. The Department clarifies that this statute does not apply to the following: - Electronic Reader boards located at jails that are provided by the Utah Association of Professional Bondsmen and Agents (UAPBA), by the county in which the jail is located, or by the jail. - Complete lists provided by the UAPBA to the jails. State Office Building Suite 3110, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6901 • (801) 538-3800 • Facsimile (801) 538-3829 • www.insurance.utah.gov - Use of the complete list of Licensed Bail Bond Agencies on the Department's website under Other/Bail Bond/Bail Bond Agencies and Agents. DATED this 28th day of January, 2014. Todd E. Kiser Insurance Commissioner