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2014 SESSION

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HB 492 Notaries; if not accredited to represent persons in immigration proceedings, shall not offer advice.

Introduced by: David B. Albo | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS ENACTED WITH GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION:

Notaries; providing advice on immigration; advertising. Prohibits a notary public from offering or providing legal advice to any person in immigration or other legal matters or representing any person in immigration proceedings unless such notary public is an attorney or a federally accredited representative. The bill also restricts misleading notary advertising in languages other than English. The bill also provides for civil penalties and revocation of the notary commission for such unauthorized advertising. This bill is identical to SB 503.

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Notaries; advertising; notice requirement. Prohibits a notary public from offering or providing legal advice to any person in immigration or other legal matters or representing any person in immigration proceedings unless such notary public is an attorney or a federally accredited representative. The bill requires notaries engaged in non-English advertising to include in such advertising, as well as post within their place of business, a statement that the notary is not licensed to practice law and has no authority to give advice on immigration or other legal matters. The bill also provides for civil penalties and revocation of the notary commission for failing to include the required statements and postings.

SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:

Notaries; providing advice on immigration; advertising. Prohibits a notary public who is not a federally accredited immigration representative from offering or providing advice on any immigration matter. The bill also prohibits a notary from assuming, using, or advertising the title of "notario," "notario publico," or "licenciado," unless such notary public is authorized or licensed to practice law in Virginia and provides for civil penalties and for revocation of a notary commission for such violations.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Notaries; advertising; notice requirement. Prohibits a notary public from offering or providing legal advice to any person in immigration matters or representing any person in immigration proceedings unless such notary public is an attorney or a federally accredited representative. The bill requires notaries to include in any non-English advertising a statement that the notary is not licensed to practice law and has no authority to give advice on immigration or other legal matters and provides for civil penalties and revocation for failing to include the required statement in advertising.