AnalysisSenate 1505 is a massive budget bill that contained two specific provisions related to and affecting Notaries Public.The first is a change to Executive Law Section 130 which lists the qualifications for a Notary commission. The effect of the new law is that it removes a lengthy list of disqualifying crimes that would bar an individual from applying and receiving a Notary commission, and replaces it with the simpler provision barring an individual from receiving a commission if he or she has committed a crime, unless the Secretary of State finds that the conviction does not constitute a bar to appointment. This gives the Secretary latitude in determining whether the nature of the crime truly disqualifies one to be appointed as a Notary.
Senate 1505 also raises the fee that the office of court administration must charge for a criminal history search from $65 to $95. Notary Signing Agents are required by contracting companies to pass an annual background screening in order to qualify to receive appointments for loan signings. Technically, the county office of court administration charges this fee, not the individual background screening service provider.
Read Senate 1505.