Effective: January 1, 2021
Latest Legislation: House Bill 339 - 133rd General Assembly
(A)(1) An individual who applies for a license as a surety bail bond agent shall submit an application for the license in a manner prescribed by the superintendent of insurance. The application shall be accompanied by a one-hundred-fifty-dollar fee and a statement that gives the applicant's name, age, residence, present occupation, occupation for the five years next preceding the date of the application, and such other information as the superintendent may require.
(2) An applicant for an individual resident license shall also submit to a criminal records check pursuant to section 3905.051 of the Revised Code.
(B)(1) The superintendent shall issue to an applicant an individual resident license that states in substance that the person is authorized to do the business of a surety bail bond agent, if the superintendent is satisfied that all of the following apply:
(a) The applicant is eighteen years of age or older.
(b) The applicant's home state is Ohio.
(c) The applicant is a person of high character and integrity.
(d) The applicant has not committed any act that is grounds for the refusal to issue, suspension of, or revocation of a license under section 3905.14 of the Revised Code.
(e) The applicant is a United States citizen or has provided proof of having legal authorization to work in the United States.
(f) The applicant has successfully completed the educational requirements set forth in section 3905.04 of the Revised Code and passed the examination required by that section.
(2) The superintendent shall issue to an applicant an individual nonresident license that states in substance that the person is authorized to do the business of a surety bail bond agent, if the superintendent is satisfied that all of the following apply:
(a) The applicant is eighteen years of age or older.
(b) The applicant is currently licensed as a resident in another state and is in good standing in the applicant's home state for surety bail bond or is qualified for the same authority.
(c) The applicant is a person of high character and integrity.
(d) The applicant has not committed any act that is grounds for the refusal to issue, suspension of, or revocation of a license under section 3905.14 of the Revised Code.
(3) The superintendent shall issue an applicant a resident business entity license that states in substance that the person is authorized to do the business of a surety bail bond agent if the superintendent is satisfied that all of the following apply:
(a) The applicant has submitted an application for the license in a manner prescribed by the superintendent and the one-hundred-fifty-dollar application fee.
(b) The applicant either is domiciled in this state or maintains its principal place of business in this state.
(c) The applicant has designated an individual licensed surety bail bond agent who will be responsible for the applicant's compliance with the insurance laws of this state.
(d) The applicant has not committed any act that is grounds for the refusal to issue, suspension of, or revocation of a license under section 3905.14 of the Revised Code.
(e) The applicant is authorized to do business in this state by the secretary of state if so required under the applicable provisions of Title XVII of the Revised Code.
(f) The applicant has submitted any other documents requested by the superintendent.
(4) The superintendent shall issue an applicant a nonresident business entity license that states in substance that the person is authorized to do the business of a surety bail bond agent if the superintendent is satisfied that all of the following apply:
(a) The applicant has submitted an application for the license in a manner prescribed by the superintendent and the one-hundred-fifty-dollar application fee.
(b) The applicant is currently licensed and is in good standing in the applicant's home state with surety bail bond authority.
(c) The applicant has designated an individual licensed surety bail bond agent who will be responsible for the applicant's compliance with the insurance laws of this state.
(d) The applicant has not committed any act that is grounds for the refusal to issue, suspension of, or revocation of a license under section 3905.14 of the Revised Code.
(e) The applicant has submitted any other documents requested by the superintendent.
(C) A resident and nonresident surety bail bond agent license issued pursuant to this section authorizes the holder, when appointed by an insurer, to execute or countersign bail bonds in connection with judicial proceedings and to receive money or other things of value for those services. However, the holder shall not execute or deliver a bond during the first one hundred eighty days after the license is initially issued. This restriction does not apply with respect to license renewals or any license issued under divisions (B)(3) and (4) of this section.
(D) The superintendent may refuse to renew a surety bail bond agent's license as provided in division (B) of section 3905.88 of the Revised Code, and may suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or renew such a license as provided in section 3905.14 of the Revised Code.
If the superintendent refuses to issue such a license based in whole or in part upon the written response to a criminal records check completed pursuant to division (A) of this section, the superintendent shall send a copy of the response that was transmitted to the superintendent to the applicant at the applicant's home address upon the applicant's submission of a written request to the superintendent.
(E) Any person licensed as a surety bail bond agent may surrender the person's license in accordance with section 3905.16 of the Revised Code.
(F)(1) A person seeking to renew a surety bail bond agent license shall apply annually for a renewal of the license on or before the first day of April. Applications shall be submitted to the superintendent on forms prescribed by the superintendent. Each application shall be accompanied by a one-hundred-fifty-dollar renewal fee.
(2) To be eligible for renewal, an individual applicant shall complete the continuing education requirements pursuant to section 3905.88 of the Revised Code prior to the renewal date.
(3) If an applicant submits a completed renewal application, qualifies for renewal pursuant to divisions (F)(1) and (2) of this section, and has not committed any act that is a ground for the refusal to issue, suspension of, or revocation of a license under section 3905.14 or sections 3905.83 to 3905.99 of the Revised Code, the superintendent shall renew the applicant's surety bail bond insurance agent license.
(4) If an individual or business entity does not apply for the renewal of the individual or business entity's license on or before the license renewal date specified in division (F)(1) of this section, the individual or business entity may submit a late renewal application along with all applicable fees required under this chapter prior to the first day of May following the renewal date. The superintendent shall renew the license of an applicant that submits a late renewal application if the applicant satisfies all of the following conditions:
(a) The applicant submits a completed renewal application.
(b) The applicant pays the one-hundred-fifty-dollar renewal fee.
(c) The applicant pays the late renewal fee established by the superintendent.
(d) The applicant provides proof of compliance with the continuing education requirements pursuant to section 3905.88 of the Revised Code.
(e) The applicant has not committed any act that is grounds for the refusal to issue, suspension of, or revocation of a license under section 3905.14 or sections 3905.83 to 3905.99 of the Revised Code.
(5) A license issued under this section that is not renewed on or before its late renewal date specified in division (F)(4) of this section is automatically suspended for nonrenewal effective the second day of May.
(6) If a license is suspended for nonrenewal pursuant to division (F)(5) of this section, the individual or business entity is eligible to apply for reinstatement of the license within the twelve-month period following the date by which the license should have been renewed by complying with the reinstatement procedure established by the superintendent and paying all applicable fees required under this chapter.
(7) A license that is suspended for nonrenewal that is not reinstated pursuant to division (F)(6) of this section automatically is canceled unless the superintendent is investigating any allegations of wrongdoing by the agent or has initiated proceedings under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. In that case, the license automatically is canceled after the completion of the investigation or proceedings unless the superintendent revokes the license.
(G) The superintendent may prescribe the forms to be used as evidence of the issuance of a license under this section. The superintendent shall require each licensee to acquire, from a source designated by the superintendent, a wallet identification card that includes the licensee's photograph and any other information required by the superintendent. The licensee shall keep the wallet identification card on the licensee's person while engaging in the bail bond business.
(H)(1) The superintendent of insurance shall not issue or renew the license of a business entity organized under the laws of this or any other state unless the business entity is qualified to do business in this state under the applicable provisions of Title XVII of the Revised Code.
(2) The failure of a business entity to be in good standing with the secretary of state or to maintain a valid appointment of statutory agent is grounds for suspending, revoking, or refusing to renew its license.
(3) By applying for a surety bail bond agent license under this section, an individual or business entity consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state.
(I) A surety bail bond agent licensed pursuant to this section is an officer of the court.
(J) Any fee collected under this section shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the department of insurance operating fund created by section 3901.021 of the Revised Code.