Bill Text: CT HB06645 | 2011 | General Assembly | Comm Sub


Bill Title: An Act Concerning The Revised Uniform Law On Notarial Acts.

Spectrum: Committee Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-05-03 - File Number 699 [HB06645 Detail]

Download: Connecticut-2011-HB06645-Comm_Sub.html

General Assembly

 

Substitute Bill No. 6645

    January Session, 2011

 

*_____HB06645JUD___041511____*

AN ACT CONCERNING THE REVISED UNIFORM LAW ON NOTARIAL ACTS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) Sections 1 to 30, inclusive, of this act may be cited as the "Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts".

Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) As used in sections 1 to 30, inclusive, of this act:

(1) "Acknowledgment" means a declaration by an individual before a notarial officer that the individual has signed a record for the purpose stated in the record and, if the record is signed in a representative capacity, that the individual signed the record with proper authority and signed it as the act of the individual or entity identified in the record.

(2) "Electronic" means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic or similar capabilities.

(3) "Electronic signature" means an electronic symbol, sound or process attached to or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by an individual with the intent to sign the record.

(4) "In a representative capacity" means acting as:

(A) An authorized officer, agent, partner, trustee or other representative for a person other than an individual;

(B) A public officer, personal representative, guardian or other representative, in the capacity stated in a record;

(C) An agent or attorney-in-fact for a principal; or

(D) An authorized representative of another in any other capacity.

(5) "Notarial act" means an act, whether performed with respect to a tangible or electronic record, that a notarial officer may perform under the law of this state. "Notarial act" includes taking an acknowledgment, administering an oath or affirmation, taking a verification on oath or affirmation, witnessing or attesting a signature, certifying or attesting a copy, and noting a protest of a negotiable instrument.

(6) "Notarial officer" means a notary public or other individual authorized to perform a notarial act.

(7) "Notary public" means an individual appointed to perform a notarial act by the Secretary of the State.

(8) "Official stamp" means a physical image affixed to or embossed on a tangible record or an electronic image attached to or logically associated with an electronic record.

(9) "Person" means an individual, corporation, business trust, statutory trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality or any other legal or commercial entity.

(10) "Record" means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

(11) "Sign" means, with present intent to authenticate or adopt a record:

(A) To execute or adopt a tangible symbol; or

(B) To attach to or logically associate with the record an electronic symbol, sound or process.

(12) "Signature" means a tangible symbol or an electronic signature that evidences the signing of a record.

(13) "Stamping device" means:

(A) A physical device capable of affixing to or embossing on a tangible record an official stamp; or

(B) An electronic device or process capable of attaching to or logically associating with an electronic record an official stamp.

(14) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

(15) "Verification on oath or affirmation" means a declaration, made by an individual on oath or affirmation before a notarial officer, that a statement in a record is true.

Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) Sections 1 to 30, inclusive, of this act applies to a notarial act performed on or after October 1, 2011.

Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) (a) A notarial officer may perform a notarial act authorized by sections 1 to 30, inclusive, of this act or by any law of this state other than a provision of sections 1 to 30, inclusive, of this act.

(b) A notarial officer may not perform a notarial act with respect to a record to which the officer or the officer's spouse is a party, or in which either of them has a direct beneficial interest. A notarial act performed in violation of this subsection is voidable.

Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) (a) A notarial officer who takes an acknowledgment of a record shall determine, from personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence of the identity of the individual, that the individual appearing before the officer and making the acknowledgment has the identity claimed and that the signature on the record is the signature of the individual.

(b) A notarial officer who takes a verification of a statement on oath or affirmation shall determine, from personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence of the identity of the individual, that the individual appearing before the officer and making the verification has the identity claimed and that the signature on the statement verified is the signature of the individual.

(c) A notarial officer who witnesses or attests to a signature shall determine, from personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence of the identity of the individual, that the individual appearing before the officer and signing the record has the identity claimed.

(d) A notarial officer who certifies or attests a copy of a record or an item that was copied shall determine that the copy is a full, true and accurate transcription or reproduction of the record or item.

(e) A notarial officer who makes or notes a protest of a negotiable instrument shall determine the matters set forth in subsection (b) of section 42a-3-505 of the general statutes.

Sec. 6. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) If a notarial act relates to a statement made in or a signature executed on a record, the individual making the statement or executing the signature shall appear personally before the notarial officer.

Sec. 7. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) (a) A notarial officer has personal knowledge of the identity of an individual appearing before the officer if the individual is personally known to the officer through dealings sufficient to provide reasonable certainty that the individual has the identity claimed.

(b) A notarial officer has satisfactory evidence of the identity of an individual appearing before the officer if the officer can identify the individual:

(1) By means of:

(A) A passport, driver's license, or government issued nondriver identification card, which is current or expired not more than three years before performance of the notarial act; or

(B) Another form of government identification issued to an individual, which is current or expired not more than three years before performance of the notarial act, contains the signature or a photograph of the individual, and is satisfactory to the officer; or

(2) By a verification on oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally appearing before the officer and known to the officer or whom the officer can identify on the basis of a passport, driver's license, or government issued nondriver identification card, which is current or expired not more than three years before performance of the notarial act.

(c) A notarial officer may require an individual to provide additional information or identification credentials necessary to assure the officer of the identity of the individual.

Sec. 8. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) (a) A notarial officer may refuse to perform a notarial act if the officer is not satisfied that:

(1) The individual executing the record is competent or has the capacity to execute the record; or

(2) The individual's signature is knowingly and voluntarily made.

(b) A notarial officer may refuse to perform a notarial act unless refusal is prohibited by law other than sections 1 to 30, inclusive, of this act.

Sec. 9. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) If an individual is physically unable to sign a record, the individual may direct an individual other than the notarial officer to sign the individual's name on the record. The notarial officer shall insert "Signature affixed by (name of other individual) at the direction of (name of individual)" or words of similar import.

Sec. 10. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) (a) A notarial act may be performed in this state by:

(1) A notary public of this state;

(2) A judge, clerk or deputy clerk of the superior court or a probate court of this state or a family support magistrate;

(3) An individual licensed to practice law in this state;

(4) A town clerk;

(5) A justice of the peace; or

(6) Any other individual authorized to perform the specific act by the law of this state.

(b) The signature and title of an individual performing a notarial act in this state are prima facie evidence that the signature is genuine and that the individual holds the designated title.

(c) The signature and title of a notarial officer described in subdivisions (1), (2) and (3) of subsection (a) of this section conclusively establish the authority of the officer to perform the notarial act.

Sec. 11. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) (a) A notarial act performed in another state has the same effect under the law of this state as if performed by a notarial officer of this state, if the act performed in that state is performed by:

(1) A notary public of that state;

(2) A judge, clerk or deputy clerk of a court of that state; or

(3) Any other individual authorized by the law of that state to perform the notarial act.

(b) The signature and title of an individual performing a notarial act in another state are prima facie evidence that the signature is genuine and that the individual holds the designated title.

(c) The signature and title of a notarial officer described in subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section conclusively establish the authority of the officer to perform the notarial act.

Sec. 12. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) (a) A notarial act performed under the authority and in the jurisdiction of a federally recognized Indian tribe has the same effect as if performed by a notarial officer of this state, if the act performed in the jurisdiction of the tribe is performed by:

(1) A notary public of the tribe;

(2) A judge, clerk or deputy clerk of a court of the tribe; or

(3) Any other individual authorized by the law of the tribe to perform the notarial act.

(b) The signature and title of an individual performing a notarial act under the authority of and in the jurisdiction of a federally recognized Indian tribe are prima facie evidence that the signature is genuine and that the individual holds the designated title.

(c) The signature and title of a notarial officer described in subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section conclusively establish the authority of the officer to perform the notarial act.

Sec. 13. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) (a) A notarial act performed under federal law has the same effect under the law of this state as if performed by a notarial officer of this state, if the act performed under federal law is performed by:

(1) A judge, clerk or deputy clerk of a court;

(2) An individual in military service or performing duties under the authority of military service who is authorized to perform notarial acts under federal law;

(3) An individual designated a notarizing officer by the United States Department of State for performing notarial acts overseas; or

(4) Any other individual authorized by federal law to perform the notarial act.

(b) The signature and title of an individual acting under federal authority and performing a notarial act are prima facie evidence that the signature is genuine and that the individual holds the designated title.

(c) The signature and title of an officer described in subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of subsection (a) of this section conclusively establish the authority of the officer to perform the notarial act.

Sec. 14. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) (a) In this section, "foreign state" means a government other than the United States, a state or a federally recognized Indian tribe.

(b) If a notarial act is performed under authority and in the jurisdiction of a foreign state or constituent unit of the foreign state or is performed under the authority of a multinational or international governmental organization, the act has the same effect under the law of this state as if performed by a notarial officer of this state.

(c) If the title of office and indication of authority to perform notarial acts in a foreign state appears in a digest of foreign law or in a list customarily used as a source for that information, the authority of an officer with that title to perform notarial acts is conclusively established.

(d) The signature and official stamp of an individual holding an office described in subsection (c) of this section are prima facie evidence that the signature is genuine and the individual holds the designated title.

(e) An apostille in the form prescribed by the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, and issued by a foreign state party to the Convention conclusively establishes that the signature of the notarial officer is genuine and that the officer holds the indicated office.

(f) A consular authentication issued by an individual designated by the United States Department of State as a notarizing officer for performing notarial acts overseas and attached to the record with respect to which the notarial act is performed conclusively establishes that the signature of the notarial officer is genuine and that the officer holds the indicated office.

Sec. 15. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) (a) A notarial act shall be evidenced by a certificate. The certificate shall:

(1) Be executed contemporaneously with the performance of the notarial act;

(2) Be signed and dated by the notarial officer and, if the notarial officer is a notary public, be signed in the same manner as on file with the Secretary of the State;

(3) Identify the jurisdiction in which the notarial act is performed;

(4) Contain the title of office of the notarial officer; and

(5) If the notarial officer is a notary public, indicate the date of expiration, if any, of the officer's appointment.

(b) If a notarial act regarding a tangible record is performed by a notary public, an official stamp shall be affixed to or embossed on the certificate. If a notarial act is performed regarding a tangible record by a notarial officer other than a notary public and the certificate contains the information specified in subdivisions (2), (3) and (4) of subsection (a) of this section, an official stamp may be affixed to or embossed on the certificate. If a notarial act regarding an electronic record is performed by a notarial officer and the certificate contains the information specified in subdivisions (2), (3) and (4) of subsection (a) of this section, an official stamp may be attached to or logically associated with the certificate.

(c) A certificate of a notarial act is sufficient if it meets the requirements of subsections (a) and (b) of this section and:

(1) Is in a short form set forth in section 16 of this act;

(2) Is in a form otherwise permitted by the law of this state;

(3) Is in a form permitted by the law applicable in the jurisdiction in which the notarial act was performed; or

(4) Sets forth the actions of the notarial officer and the actions are sufficient to meet the requirements of the notarial act as provided in sections 5, 6 and 7 of this act or the law of this state other than sections 1 to 30, inclusive, of this act.

(d) By executing a certificate of a notarial act, a notarial officer certifies that the officer has complied with the requirements and made the determinations specified in sections 4, 5 and 6 of this act.

(e) A notarial officer may not affix the officer's signature to, or logically associate it with, a certificate until the notarial act has been performed.

(f) If a notarial act is performed regarding a tangible record, a certificate shall be part of, or securely attached to, the record. If a notarial act is performed regarding an electronic record, the certificate shall be affixed to, or logically associated with, the electronic record. If the Secretary of the State has established standards pursuant to section 26 of this act for attaching, affixing or logically associating the certificate, the process shall conform to the standards.

Sec. 16. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) The following short form certificates of notarial acts are sufficient for the purposes indicated, if completed with the information required by subsections (a) and (b) of section 15 of this act:

(1) For an acknowledgment in an individual capacity:

T1

State of _____________________________________

T2

County of _________________________________

T3

This record was acknowledged before me on ____ by _____________

T4

Date

Name(s)

T5

__________________________________

T6

Signature of notarial officer

T7

Stamp

T8

__________________________________

T9

Title of office

T10

My appointment expires: _________

(2) For an acknowledgment in a representative capacity:

T11

State of _________________________________________

T12

County of ______________________________________

T13

This record was acknowledged before me on ____ by _____________

T14

Date

Name(s)

T15

as (type of authority, such as officer or trustee) of (name of party on

T16

behalf of whom record was executed).

T17

__________________________________

T18

Signature of notarial officer

T19

Stamp

T20

__________________________________

T21

Title of office

T22

My appointment expires: _________

(3) For a verification on oath or affirmation:

T23

State of _________________________________________

T24

County of ______________________________________

T25

Signed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on ____ by __________

T26

Date

Name(s)

T27

__________________________________

T28

Signature of notarial officer

T29

Stamp

T30

__________________________________

T31

Title of office

T32

My appointment expires: _________

(4) For witnessing or attesting a signature:

T33

State of _________________________________________

T34

County of ______________________________________

T35

Signed (or attested) before me on ____ by __________

T36

Date

Name(s)

T37

__________________________________

T38

Signature of notarial officer

T39

Stamp

T40

__________________________________

T41

Title of office

T42

My appointment expires: _________

(5) For certifying a copy of a record:

T43

State of _________________________________________

T44

County of ______________________________________

T45

I certify that this is a true and correct copy of a record in the

T46

possession

T47

of ________________________________________.

T48

Dated ___________________________

T49

________________________________

T50

Signature of notarial officer

T51

Stamp

T52

__________________________________

T53

Title of office

T54

My appointment expires: _________

Sec. 17. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) The official stamp of a notary public shall:

(1) Include the notary public's name, jurisdiction, appointment expiration date and other information required by the Secretary of the State; and

(2) Be capable of being copied together with the record to which it is affixed or attached or with which it is logically associated.

Sec. 18. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) (a) A notary public is responsible for the security of the notary public's stamping device and may not allow another individual to use the device to perform a notarial act. On resignation from, or the revocation or expiration of, the notary public's appointment, or on the expiration of the date set forth in the stamping device, if any, the notary public shall disable the stamping device by destroying, defacing, damaging, erasing or securing it against use in a manner that renders it unusable. On the death or adjudication of incompetency of a notary public, the notary public's personal representative or guardian or any other person knowingly in possession of the stamping device shall render it unusable by destroying, defacing, damaging, erasing or securing it against use in a manner that renders it unusable.

(b) If a notary public's stamping device is lost or stolen, the notary public or the notary public's personal representative or guardian shall notify promptly the Secretary of the State on discovering that the device is lost or stolen.

Sec. 19. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) (a) A notary public may select one or more tamper-evident technologies to perform notarial acts with respect to electronic records. A person may not require a notary public to perform a notarial act with respect to an electronic record with a technology that the notary public has not selected.

(b) Before a notary public performs the notary public's initial notarial act with respect to an electronic record, a notary public shall notify the Secretary of the State that the notary public will be performing notarial acts with respect to electronic records and identify the technology the notary public intends to use. If the Secretary of the State has established standards for approval of technology pursuant to section 26 of this act, the technology shall conform to the standards. If the technology conforms to the standards, the Secretary of the State shall approve the use of the technology.

Sec. 20. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) (a) An individual qualified under subsection (b) of this section may apply to the Secretary of the State for an appointment as a notary public. The applicant shall comply with and provide the information required by regulations adopted by the Secretary of the State and pay any application fee.

(b) An applicant for an appointment as a notary public shall:

(1) Be at least eighteen years of age;

(2) Be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States;

(3) Be a resident of or have a place of employment or practice in this state;

(4) Be able to read and write English;

(5) Not be disqualified to receive an appointment under section 22 of this act; and

(6) Have passed the examination required under subsection (a) of section 21 of this act.

(c) Before issuance of an appointment as a notary public, an applicant for the appointment shall execute an oath of office and submit it to the Secretary of the State.

(d) On compliance with this section, the Secretary of the State shall issue an appointment as a notary public to an applicant for a term of five years.

(e) An appointment to act as a notary public authorizes the notary public to perform notarial acts. The appointment does not provide the notary public any immunity or benefit conferred by the law of this state on public officials or employees.

Sec. 21. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) (a) An applicant for an appointment as a notary public who does not hold a commission in this state shall pass an examination administered by the Secretary of the State. The examination shall be based on the course of study described in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) The Secretary of the State shall offer regularly a course of study to applicants who do not hold appointments as notaries public in this state. The course shall cover the laws, regulations, procedures and ethics relevant to notarial acts.

Sec. 22. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) (a) The Secretary of the State may deny, refuse to renew, revoke, suspend or impose a condition on an appointment as notary public for any act or omission that demonstrates the individual lacks the honesty, integrity, competence or reliability to act as a notary public, including:

(1) Failure to comply with any provision of sections 1 to 30, inclusive, of this act;

(2) A fraudulent, dishonest, or deceitful misstatement or omission in the application for an appointment as a notary public submitted to the Secretary of the State;

(3) A conviction of the applicant or notary public of any felony or a crime involving fraud, dishonesty or deceit;

(4) A finding against, or admission of liability by, the applicant or notary public in any legal proceeding or disciplinary action based on the applicant's or notary public's fraud, dishonesty or deceit;

(5) Failure by the notary public to discharge any duty required of a notary public, whether by any provision of sections 1 to 30, inclusive, of this act, regulations of the Secretary of the State or any federal or state law;

(6) Use of false or misleading advertising or representation by the notary public representing that the notary has a duty, right or privilege that the notary does not have;

(7) Violation by the notary public of a regulation of the Secretary of the State regarding a notary public; or

(8) Denial, refusal to renew, revocation, suspension or conditioning of a notary public appointment or commission in another state.

(b) If the Secretary of the State denies, refuses to renew, revokes, suspends or imposes conditions on an appointment as a notary public, the applicant or notary public is entitled to timely notice and hearing in accordance with chapter 54 of the general statutes.

(c) The authority of the Secretary of the State to deny, refuse to renew, revoke, suspend or impose conditions on an appointment as a notary public does not prevent a person from seeking and obtaining other criminal or civil remedies provided by law.

Sec. 23. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) The Secretary of the State shall maintain an electronic database of notaries public:

(1) Through which a person may verify the authority of a notary public to perform notarial acts; and

(2) Which indicates whether a notary public has notified the Secretary of the State that the notary public will be performing notarial acts on electronic records.

Sec. 24. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) (a) An appointment as a notary public does not authorize an individual to:

(1) Assist persons in drafting legal records, give legal advice or otherwise practice law;

(2) Act as an immigration consultant or an expert on immigration matters;

(3) Represent a person in a judicial or administrative proceeding relating to immigration to the United States, United States citizenship or related matters; or

(4) Receive compensation for performing any of the activities listed in subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, of this subsection.

(b) A notary public may not engage in false or deceptive advertising.

(c) A notary public, other than an attorney licensed to practice law in this state, may not use the term "notario" or "notario publico".

(d) A notary public, other than an attorney licensed to practice law in this state, may not advertise or represent that the notary public may assist persons in drafting legal records, give legal advice or otherwise practice law. If a notary public who is not an attorney licensed to practice law in this state in any manner advertises or represents that the notary public offers notarial services, whether orally or in a record, including broadcast media, print media and the Internet, the notary public shall include the following statement, or an alternate statement authorized or required by the Secretary of the State, in the advertisement or representation, prominently and in each language used in the advertisement or representation: "I am not an attorney licensed to practice law in this state. I am not allowed to draft legal records, give advice on legal matters, including immigration, or charge a fee for those activities". If the form of advertisement or representation is not broadcast media, print media or the Internet and does not permit inclusion of the statement required by this subsection because of size, the statement shall be displayed prominently or provided at the place of performance of the notarial act before the notarial act is performed.

(e) Except as otherwise allowed by law, a notary public may not withhold access to or possession of an original record provided by a person that seeks performance of a notarial act by the notary public.

Sec. 25. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of section 4 of this act, the failure of a notarial officer to perform a duty or meet a requirement specified in sections 1 to 30, inclusive, of this act does not invalidate a notarial act performed by the notarial officer. The validity of a notarial act under sections 1 to 30, inclusive, of this act does not prevent an aggrieved person from seeking to invalidate the record or transaction that is the subject of the notarial act or from seeking other remedies based on the law of this state other than any provision in sections 1 to 30, inclusive, of this act or the law of the United States. This section does not validate a purported notarial act performed by an individual who does not have the authority to perform notarial acts.

Sec. 26. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) (a) The Secretary of the State may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54 of the general statutes, to implement the provisions of sections 1 to 30, inclusive, of this act. Regulations adopted regarding the performance of notarial acts with respect to electronic records may not require, or accord greater legal status or effect to, the implementation or application of a specific technology or technical specification. The regulations may:

(1) Prescribe the manner of performing notarial acts regarding tangible and electronic records;

(2) Include provisions to ensure that any change to or tampering with a record bearing a certificate of a notarial act is self-evident;

(3) Include provisions to ensure integrity in the creation, transmittal, storage or authentication of electronic records or signatures;

(4) Prescribe the process of granting, renewing, conditioning, denying, suspending or revoking a notary public appointment and assuring the trustworthiness of an individual holding an appointment as notary public;

(5) Include provisions to prevent fraud or mistake in the performance of notarial acts; and

(6) Provide for the administration of the examination under subsection (a) of section 21 of this act and the course of study under subsection (b) of section 21 of this act.

(b) In adopting, amending or repealing regulations about notarial acts with respect to electronic records, the Secretary of the State shall consider, so far as is consistent with sections 1 to 30, inclusive, of this act:

(1) The most recent standards regarding electronic records promulgated by national bodies, such as the National Association of Secretaries of State;

(2) Standards, practices and customs of other jurisdictions that substantially enact the provisions of sections 1 to 30, inclusive, of this act; and

(3) The views of governmental officials and entities and other interested persons.

Sec. 27. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) An appointment as a notary public in effect on October 1, 2011, continues until its date of expiration. A notary public who applies to renew an appointment as a notary public on or after October 1, 2011, is subject to and shall comply with the provisions of sections 1 to 30, inclusive, of this act. A notary public, in performing notarial acts after October 1, 2011, shall comply with the provisions of sections 1 to 30, inclusive, of this act.

Sec. 28. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) The provisions of sections 1 to 30, inclusive, of this act do not affect the validity or effect of a notarial act performed before October 1, 2011.

Sec. 29. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) In applying and construing the provisions of sections 1 to 30, inclusive, of this act, consideration shall be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.

Sec. 30. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) Sections 1 to 29, inclusive, of this act modify, limit, and supersede the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 USC 7001 et seq., but do not modify, limit, or supersede Section 101(c) of that act, 15 USC 7001(c), or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in Section 103(b) of that act, 15 USC 7003(b).

Sec. 31. Section 3-94b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2011):

[(a) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary of the State may appoint as a notary public any qualified person who submits an application in accordance with this section.

(b) In order to qualify for appointment as a notary public, a person shall:

(1) Be eighteen years of age or older at the time of application;

(2) (A) Be a resident of the state of Connecticut at the time of application and appointment, or (B) have one's principal place of business in the state at the time of application and appointment;

(3) Pass a written examination approved or administered by the Secretary;

(4) Submit an application, on a form prescribed and provided by the Secretary, which the applicant shall complete in the applicant's handwriting without misstatement or omission of fact. The application shall be accompanied by (A) a nonrefundable application fee of one hundred twenty dollars, and (B) the recommendation of an individual who has personally known the applicant for at least one year and is not legally related to the applicant.]

[(c)] (a) The Secretary may deny an application submitted under section 20 of this act based on:

(1) The applicant's conviction of a felony or a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude;

(2) Revocation, suspension or restriction of a notary public appointment or professional license issued to the applicant by this state or any other state; or

(3) The applicant's official misconduct, whether or not any disciplinary action has resulted.

[(d)] (b) Upon approval of an application for appointment as a notary public, the Secretary shall cause a certificate of appointment bearing a facsimile of the Secretary's signature and countersigned by the Secretary's executive assistant or an employee designated by the Secretary to be issued to such appointee.

[(e)] (c) A notary public may obtain a replacement certificate of appointment by filing a written request with the Secretary, accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of five dollars.

Sec. 32. Sections 1-28 to 1-41, inclusive, 1-57 to 1-65, inclusive, 3-94a, 3-94d, 3-94h to 3-94k, inclusive, and 3-94m of the general statutes are repealed. (Effective October 1, 2011)

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:

Section 1

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 2

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 3

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 4

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 5

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 6

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 7

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 8

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 9

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 10

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 11

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 12

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 13

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 14

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 15

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 16

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 17

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 18

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 19

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 20

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 21

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 22

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 23

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 24

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 25

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 26

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 27

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 28

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 29

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 30

October 1, 2011

New section

Sec. 31

October 1, 2011

3-94b

Sec. 32

October 1, 2011

Repealer section

Statement of Legislative Commissioners:

In: Sec. 20(b)(6), the reference to section 22 was changed to section 21 for accuracy; Sec. 24(c), the terms "suspend" and "revoke" were interchanged for consistency with Subsec. (b); Sec. 24(a)(4), "subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, of" was inserted for accuracy; Sec. 24(d), "it" was changed to "the statement" for accuracy; and throughout the bill, commas were deleted for proper form.

JUD

Joint Favorable Subst.-LCO

 
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