1. Rules. The Secretary of State may adopt rules to implement this chapter. Rules 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 rules may:
A. Prescribe the manner of performing notarial acts regarding tangible and electronic records; [PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).]
B. Include provisions to ensure that any change to or tampering with a record bearing a certificate of a notarial act is self-evident; [PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).]
C. Include provisions to ensure integrity in the creation, transmittal, storage and authentication of electronic records or signatures; [PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).]
D. Prescribe the process of granting, renewing, conditioning, denying, suspending or revoking a notary public commission and assuring the trustworthiness of an individual holding a notary public commission; [PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).]
E. Include provisions to prevent fraud or mistake in the performance of notarial acts; and [PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).]
F. Provide for the administration of the examination under section 1923, subsection 1 and the course of study under section 1923, subsection 2. [PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).]

[PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).]

Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 4 Sec. 1928

  • Electronic: means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic or similar capabilities. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 4 Sec. 1902
  • Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
  • 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 or loss in mercantile usage. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 4 Sec. 1902
  • Notary public: means an individual commissioned to perform a notarial act by the Secretary of State. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 4 Sec. 1902
  • 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. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 4 Sec. 1902
  • 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. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 4 Sec. 1902
2. Rulemaking considerations. In adopting, amending or repealing rules about notarial acts with respect to electronic records, the Secretary of State shall consider, so far as is consistent with this chapter:
A. The most recent standards regarding electronic records promulgated by national bodies, such as a national association of secretaries of state; [PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).]
B. Standards, practices and customs of other jurisdictions that enact provisions substantially similar to this chapter; and [PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).]
C. The views of governmental officials and entities and other interested persons. [PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).]

[PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).]

3. Routine technical rules. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2?A.

[PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW). PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).