Jefferson City, Mo.  - The state Insurance Department has scheduled four public hearings to review Missouri's laws and regulations governing the state's bail bond industry.

John M. Huff, director of the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration (DIFP), has appointed a 15-member committee to assist the department in the review process. The committee consists of members of the Missouri legislature, law enforcement, the bail bond industry and the Missouri court system.

The public hearing will be held in Chesterfield on Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Missouri Department of Transportation Building located at 1590 Woodlake Dr., Chesterfield.

Members of the public and the bail bond industry are invited to speak at the hearing. Please call the DIFP in advance to arrange a speaking time, 573-751-2562. After hearing public testimony, the committee will meet from noon to 2 p.m.

Other public hearings are scheduled for:

• Springfield, Tuesday Nov. 3
• Jefferson City, Tuesday Nov. 10

The DIFP has established an e-mail news alert system for anyone interested in following the progress of the committee and receiving notices of public hearings. Visit insurance.mo.gov and click the icon in the left-hand column that says Get insurance news fast.

House Bill 577, passed by Missouri lawmakers and signed by Gov. Nixon, requires the DIFP to submit survey results to the legislature by Jan. 6, 2010.