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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the licensing and regulation of bail bond sureties; |
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creating an offense. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 1704, Occupations Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 1704.1605 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1704.1605. APPRENTICESHIP PROHIBITED. A board may not |
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require an applicant to serve as an apprentice before or after being |
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issued a license. This prohibition does not apply to the work |
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experience required by Section 1704.152(a)(4)(A). |
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SECTION 2. Chapter 17, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended by adding Article 17.142 to read as follows: |
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Art. 17.142. FEE FOR COURT APPEARANCE BY ELIGIBLE BAIL BOND |
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SURETY. (a) An eligible bail bond surety who attends a court |
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proceeding at the request of a defendant but who is not a surety for |
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the defendant may not charge the defendant a fee: |
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(1) for serving as a bail bond surety; and |
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(2) that exceeds $35 for attending the court |
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proceeding. |
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(b) A person commits an offense if the person charges a fee |
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in excess of the amount allowed under Subsection (a). |
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(c) An offense under this section is a |
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Class C misdemeanor. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |