The proposed bill aims to combat notary public fraud by amending existing statutes related to notarial practices and immigration assistance. It specifically prohibits the literal translation of "Notary Public" into any language other than English and establishes penalties for violations. Additionally, notaries who do not hold an active law license are restricted from using terms that imply they possess legal expertise in immigration matters. The bill allows for civil actions, including declaratory or injunctive relief, for violations, and provides for the recovery of attorney fees and expedited trials for such cases.

Furthermore, the bill creates new provisions that prohibit individuals not licensed to practice law from engaging in various immigration-related activities for compensation, such as advising on legal status or completing immigration forms. It mandates that businesses offering immigration assistance display a clear disclaimer stating they are not licensed attorneys and cannot provide legal advice. The legislation also outlines specific exceptions for certain services that can be performed without a law license, such as translation and notarization of documents. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 915 Filed: 117.05, 908.107