RELATING TO BAIL BONDSMEN; PROVIDING FOR EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE AND RENEWAL.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. A new section of the Bail Bondsmen Licensing Law is enacted to read:

"EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS.--

A. In order to be eligible to take the examination required to be licensed as a bail bondsman, the applicant shall complete not less than thirty clock hours of formal classroom education in subjects pertinent to the duties and responsibilities of a bail bondsman, including ethics and all laws and rules related to the bail bond business. In addition, the applicant shall complete one hundred twenty hours of on-the-job training under the direct supervision of a sponsoring bail bondsman who shall certify in writing that he has taught the applicant the subjects pertinent to the duties and responsibilities of a bail bondsman, including ethics and all laws and rules related to the bail bond business, and that the applicant is prepared to take the examination. The scope of the examination shall be as broad as the bail bond business.

B. Instead of the education requirement in Subsection A of this section, an applicant may become eligible to take the examination required to be licensed as a bail bondsman by apprenticing for a minimum of six months with a sponsoring bail bondsman. The sponsoring bail bondsman shall certify in writing that he has taught the applicant the subjects pertinent to the duties and responsibilities of a bail bondsman, including ethics and all laws and rules related to the bail bond business, and that the applicant is prepared to take the examination. The scope of the examination shall be as broad as the bail bond business.

C. In order to be eligible to take the examination required to be licensed as a solicitor, each person shall complete not less than ten clock hours of formal classroom education in subjects pertinent to the duties and responsibilities of a solicitor, including ethics and all laws and rules related to the bail bond business. In addition, the applicant for a solicitor's license shall complete thirty hours of on-the-job training under the direct supervision of a sponsoring bail bondsman who shall certify in writing that he has taught the applicant the subjects pertinent to the duties and responsibilities of a solicitor, including ethics and all laws and rules related to the bail bond business, and that the applicant is prepared to take the examination. The scope of the examination shall be as broad as the bail bond business.

D. Prior to renewal of a bail bondsman's or solicitor's license, a licensee shall complete annually not less than fifteen clock hours of continuing education in subjects pertinent to the duties and responsibilities of a bail bondsman or solicitor, including ethics and all laws and rules related to the bail bond business. Such continuing education shall not include a written or oral examination.

E. A provider approved by the superintendent to offer prelicensing classroom education for bail bondsmen or continuing education classes for bail bondsmen and solicitors shall be required to offer such classes in at least two geographic areas of the state until such time as the superintendent determines that sufficient classes are available statewide.

F. It is a violation of the New Mexico Insurance Code for a person to falsely represent to the superintendent that the education requirements of this section have been complied with.

G. The superintendent shall adopt and promulgate such rules as are necessary for the effective administration of this section."