2016 -- S 2534 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - NOTARIES PUBLIC AND

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

     

     Introduced By: Senators Pearson, and Lombardo

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 42-30-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-30 entitled "Notaries

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Public and Justices of the Peace" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     42-30-5. Application for appointment. -- (a) Application. - Any qualified elector

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individual of this state desiring to be appointed a notary public, or a justice of the peace, shall

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make written application to the governor over his or her own signature, stating that he or she is a

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qualified elector who is an actual resident of the state of Rhode Island.

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      (b) Qualification as an elector of the state at the time of making application is to be

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certified to by a member of the board of canvassers and registration, in cities having such boards,

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or by the city or town clerk of the city or town in which the applicant claims a right to vote, and

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except for members of the bar of this state, the member of the board of canvassers and

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registration or the city or town clerk shall satisfy himself or herself that the

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     Qualifications of applicants. - (1) Person qualified for a notary public commission shall

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be at least eighteen (18) years of age and reside legally or conduct business on a regular basis

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within Rhode Island.

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     (2) The applicant for appointment to the office of notary public or justice of the peace can

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must speak, read, and write the English language and has have sufficient knowledge of the

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powers and duties pertaining to that office.

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      (c) Attorneys and accountants. - A member of the Rhode Island bar, and certified public

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accountants under ยง 5-3.1-5, shall, regardless of residence, be appointed a notary public upon

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application and presentment of a certified copy of his or her certificate of admission to the bar or

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certificate of public accountancy.

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      (d) Any such person making written application to be appointed a notary public or

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justice of the peace shall, at the time of application, pay to the secretary of state the sum of eighty

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dollars ($80.00).

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - NOTARIES PUBLIC AND

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

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     This act would make the Rhode Island notary and justice of the peace applications

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conform to Massachusetts law and allow non-residents to apply. The act would also establish

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additional qualifications to be a notary public.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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