SECTIONS 996.110-996.150

996.110.  (a) A surety on a bond given in an action or proceedingmay at any time apply to the court for an order that the surety bereleased from liability on the bond. (b) The principal on a bond may, if a surety applies for releasefrom liability on a bond, apply to the court for an order thatanother surety be substituted for the original surety. (c) The applicant shall serve on the principal or surety (otherthan the applicant) and on the beneficiary a copy of the applicationand a notice of hearing on the application. Service shall be made notless than 15 days before the date set for hearing.996.120.  Upon the hearing of the application, the court shalldetermine whether injury to the beneficiary would result fromsubstitution or release of the surety. If the court determines thatrelease would not reduce the amount of the bond or the number ofsureties below the minimum required by the statute providing for thebond, substitution of a sufficient surety is not necessary and thecourt shall order the release of the surety. If the court determinesthat no injury would result from substitution of the surety, thecourt shall order the substitution of a sufficient surety within suchtime as appears reasonable.996.130.  (a) If a substitute surety is given, the substitute suretyis subject to all the provisions of this chapter, including but notlimited to the provisions governing insufficient and excessive bonds. (b) Upon the substitution of a sufficient surety, the court shallorder the release of the original surety from liability on the bond.996.140.  If the principal does not give a sufficient substitutesurety within the time ordered by the court or such longer time asthe surety consents to, all rights obtained by giving the originalbond immediately cease and the court shall upon ex parte motion soorder.996.150.  If a surety is ordered released from liability on a bond: (a) The bond remains in full force and effect for all liabilitiesincurred before, and for acts, omissions, or causes existing or whicharose before, the release. Legal proceedings may be had therefor inall respects as though there had been no release. (b) The surety is not liable for any act, default, or misconductof the principal or other breach of the condition of the bond thatoccurs after, or for any liabilities on the bond that arise after,the release. (c) The release does not affect the bond as to the remainingsureties, or alter or change their liability in any respect.