(1) DEFINITION OF “CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION”.–As used in this section, the term “classroom instruction” means a course designed to be presented to a group of students by a live instructor using lecture, video, webcast, or virtual or other audio-video presentation.
(2) SCHOOLS AND CURRICULUM FOR PRELICENSING SCHOOLS.–In order to be considered for approval and certification as an approved limited surety agent and professional bail bond agent prelicensing school, such entity must:

(a)1. Offer a minimum of two 120-hour classroom-instruction basic certification courses in the criminal justice system per calendar year unless a reduced number of course offerings per calendar year is warranted in accordance with rules promulgated by the department; or
2. Offer a department-approved correspondence course pursuant to department rules.

Terms Used In Florida Statutes 648.386

  • Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
  • Bail bond agent: means a limited surety agent or a professional bail bond agent as hereafter defined. See Florida Statutes 648.25
  • Limited surety agent: means any individual appointed by an insurer by power of attorney to execute or countersign bail bonds in connection with judicial proceedings who receives or is promised money or other things of value therefor. See Florida Statutes 648.25
  • Managing general agent: means any individual, partnership, association, or corporation appointed or employed by an insurer to supervise or manage the bail bond business written in this state by limited surety agents appointed by the insurer. See Florida Statutes 648.25
  • person: includes individuals, children, firms, associations, joint adventures, partnerships, estates, trusts, business trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries, corporations, and all other groups or combinations. See Florida Statutes 1.01
  • Professional bail bond agent: means any person who pledges United States currency, United States postal money orders, or cashier's checks as security for a bail bond in connection with a judicial proceeding and receives or is promised therefor money or other things of value. See Florida Statutes 648.25
(b) Submit a prelicensing course curriculum to the department for approval.
(c) If applicable, offer prelicensing classes which are taught by instructors approved by the department.
(3) SCHOOLS AND CURRICULUM FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION SCHOOLS.–In order to be considered for approval and certification as an approved limited surety agent and professional bail bond agent continuing education school, such entity must:

(a) Provide a minimum of three classroom-instruction continuing education classes per calendar year.
(b) Submit a course curriculum to the department for approval.
(c) Offer continuing education classes that comprise a minimum of 2 hours of approved classroom-instruction coursework and are taught by an approved supervising instructor or guest lecturer approved by the entity or the supervising instructor.
(4) GEOGRAPHIC REQUIREMENTS.–Any provider approved under this section by the department to offer prelicensing courses or continuing education courses shall be required to offer such courses in at least two geographic areas of the state until such time that the department determines that there are adequate providers statewide to provide these courses to applicants and licensees.
(5) INSTRUCTOR’S DUTIES AND QUALIFICATIONS.–

(a) Each course must have a supervising instructor who is approved by the department. The supervising instructor shall be present at all classes. The supervising instructor is responsible for:

1. All course instructors.
2. All guest lecturers.
3. The course outlines and curriculum.
4. Certification of each attending limited surety agent or professional bail bond agent.
5. Completion of all required forms.
6. Assuring that the course is approved.

Either the entity or the supervising instructor may approve guest lecturers.

(b) In order to obtain department approval as a supervising instructor, the following qualifications must be met:

1. During the past 15 years, the person must have had at least 10 years’ experience as a manager or officer of a managing general agent in this state as prescribed in s. 648.388;
2. During the past 15 years, the person must have had at least 10 years’ experience as a manager or officer of an insurance company authorized to and actively engaged in underwriting bail in this state, provided there is a showing that the manager’s or officer’s experience is directly related to the bail bond industry; or
3. The person has been a licensed bail bond agent in this state for at least 10 years.
(c) In order to obtain department approval as an instructor or guest lecturer, the person must be qualified by education or experience in the specific area of instruction as prescribed by department rules.
(d) A person teaching any approved course of instruction or lecturing at any approved seminar and attending the entire course or seminar shall qualify for the same number of classroom hours as would be granted to a person taking and successfully completing such course, seminar, or program. Credit shall be limited to the number of hours actually taught unless a person attends the entire course or seminar.
(e) The department shall adopt rules necessary to carry out the duties conferred upon it under this section.
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