1. (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

2. (b) “Bail bond” means a written obligation of a defendant, with or without a surety or collateral security, that:

   1. (1) is conditioned on the appearance of the defendant as required; and
   2. (2) provides for the payment of a penal sum according to its terms.
3. (c) “Bail bondsman” means an authorized insurance producer of a surety insurer.
4. (d) “Collateral security” means any property deposited, pledged, or encumbered to secure the performance of a bail bond.
5. (e) “License” means a license issued by the Commissioner to provide bail bondsman services.
6. (f) “Provide bail bondsman services” means to provide any service in the bail bondsman trade.

7. (g)

   1. (1) “Surety” means a person, other than the defendant, that guarantees the appearance of the defendant by executing a bail bond.
   2. (2) “Surety” includes an uncompensated or accommodation surety.
8. (h) “Surety insurer” means a person that, for compensation, directly or through an authorized insurance producer, acts as a surety on a bail bond.

Added by Acts 1995, c. 36, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 2001, c. 731, § 1, eff. July 2, 2001.

Formerly Art. 48A, § 676.