| Chapter 532 |
| 2016 -- S 2534 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED Enacted 08/13/2016 |
| 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 |
| It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: |
| SECTION 1. Section 42-30-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-30 entitled "Notaries |
| Public and Justices of the Peace" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
| 42-30-5. Application for appointment. -- (a) Application. - Any qualified elector |
| individual of this state desiring to be appointed a notary public, or a justice of the peace, shall |
| make written application to the governor over his or her own signature, stating that he or she is a |
| qualified elector who is an actual resident of the state of Rhode Island. |
| (b) Qualification as an elector of the state at the time of making application is to be |
| certified to by a member of the board of canvassers and registration, in cities having such boards, |
| or by the city or town clerk of the city or town in which the applicant claims a right to vote, and |
| except for members of the bar of this state, the member of the board of canvassers and |
| registration or the city or town clerk shall satisfy himself or herself that the |
| Qualifications of applicants. - (1) Person qualified for a notary public commission shall |
| be at least eighteen (18) years of age and reside legally or conduct business on a regular basis |
| within Rhode Island. |
| (2) The applicant for appointment to the office of notary public or justice of the peace can |
| speak, read, and write the English language and has sufficient knowledge of the powers and |
| duties pertaining to that office. |
| (c) Attorneys and accountants. - A member of the Rhode Island bar, and certified public |
| accountants under ยง 5-3.1-5, shall, regardless of residence, be appointed a notary public upon |
| application and presentment of a certified copy of his or her certificate of admission to the bar or |
| certificate of public accountancy. |
| (d) Any such person making written application to be appointed a notary public or |
| justice of the peace shall, at the time of application, pay to the secretary of state the sum of eighty |
| dollars ($80.00). |
| SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage on September 16, 2016. |
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| LC004546/SUB A/3 |
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