you are right parabellum it is a mine field, and it varies from state to state and country to country. here in the uk we also have to deal with european law. the best way forward is if you are planning to leave early is to talk to your management and try and come to some kind of deal. they may not of course play ball but if they are proving unreasonable then that may well be a mark of the company and highlights why they probably had to bond in the first place! if you offer to pay back the bond then there is nothing they can do about it. (in the uk) what might not be covered in the contract is the rate at which it must be paid back, hence the £10 a month option which i believe is called - intent.
great thread, i hope the law can be sorted one way or another. (in the uk)