In Connecticut, the bounty hunters are known as bail enforcement agents.  Laws governing bail enforcement agents in the state can be found in Chapter 33a, Title 29 of the Connecticut Statute.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-152e empowers a bail enforcement agent to take or attempt to take into custody the principal on the bond who has failed to appear in court.  The Commissioner of Public Safety issues a license to such applicant to do business in the state as a bail enforcement agent[i].

All persons desiring to engage in the business of a bail enforcement agent must apply to the Commissioner of Public Safety for a license.  Such application must set forth[ii]:

• under oath the full name, age, date and place of birth, residence, and occupation of the applicant;
• under oath a statement of whether the applicant has been charged with or convicted of crime;
• fingerprints and photographs, as required by the commissioner; and
• state and national criminal history records checks.

Pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-152f , within five years prior to the date of application, the applicant must have successfully completed a course in the criminal justice system consisting of not less than twenty hours of study approved by the commissioner.  A person who has been convicted of a felony or any misdemeanor is not licensed to do business as a bail enforcement agent in the state.  A person engaged in law enforcement or vested with police powers is not licensed to do business as a bail enforcement agent[iii].

Pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-152g, the fee for a license is two hundred dollars.  Each such license shall be for a term not exceeding one year as said commissioner determines.

The Commissioner of Public Safety can suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew the license of a bail enforcement agent.  A notice must be given to the licensee to appear before the commissioner to show cause why the license should not be suspended, revoked, or refused renewal[iv].

The commissioner may suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a license on the following grounds:

• the licensee has violated any of the terms or provisions of the Act;
• the licensee has made a material misstatement in the application for issuance or renewal of such license;
• the licensee has demonstrated incompetence or untrustworthiness in the conduct of the licensee’s business;
• the licensee has been convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor; and
• the licensee is unsuitable.

A licensed bail enforcement agent shall not wear, carry or display any uniform, badge, shield or other insignia or emblems that purport to indicate that such bondsman or agent is an employee, officer, or agent of the state or any political subdivision of the state or of the federal government[v].

A licensed bail enforcement agent cannot carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm while engaging in the business of bail enforcement agent, unless such agent obtains a special permit from the Commissioner of Public Safety[vi].

A person violating the above provisions is guilty of a class D felony[vii].

[i] Gen. Stat. § 29-152g.

[ii] Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-152f.

[iii] Gen. Stat. § 29-152f.

[iv] Gen. Stat. § 29-152i.

[v] Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-152l.

[vi] Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-152m.

[vii] Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-152n.